Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has called on the Secretary of State to challenge the main political parties about their bona fides to participating in talks to restore devolution.
Lord Empey said:
“Northern Ireland is politically rudderless at the minute. This has been allowed to run on far too long and the Secretary of State has responsibility in this. I don`t know whether it is because the NIO doesn`t want to upset Sinn Fein sensitivities or if it`s because the Secretary of State is so consumed by Brexit that she has taken her eye off the ball.
“For literally years now we have heard platitudes from some parties about their commitment to get Stormont up and running again, yet when directly challenged about their willingness to get involved, we are met with a political mantra which could be perceived as preconditions. If parties have preconditions on talks, then they need to spell them out publicly. Our health service is in crisis, school budgets are being shredded and the continued political uncertainty is damaging business prospects.
“As I said on Thursday in the House of Lords, Karen Bradley should get her skates on and get a process started. Nothing is currently happening and a working Stormont could help with our drive to get Brexit sorted on these islands. She needs to seriously address a complete lack of political direction and challenge all the parties to participate in a talks process or for them to explain why they won`t. If they want to exclude themselves, let them.”