Early election would be a ‘mistake’, says McCrossan

DANIEL McCrossan has labelled Sinn Fein’s call for an early election a “mistake” following the resignation of Paul Givan as First Minister.

The West Tyrone MLA said that it would lead to the loss of “important legislation” currently making its way through the assembly and “play into the instability created by the DUP”.

At a press conference shortly before Mr Givan’s resignation speech, Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald called on the secretary of state Brandon Lewis to call an election before May as is currently scheduled.

The DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson also said it is “time for the people to have their say”.

Addressing the resignation, Mr McCrossan said, “I am totally disgusted by the DUP’s lack of care or understanding of the seriousness of the pressures that exist within our society; waiting lists, homelessness, the cost of living.

“They have no regard for no one but themselves and their political self-interest.”

He claimed that the DUP’s decision to resign as first minister was not about the protocol, but more to do with electioneering.

If an early election is called, the assembly will be dissolved with a polling day rumoured to be at some point in March.

However, unlike the last time Stormont collapsed in 2017, if the secretary of state refuses to call an election until May, the assembly will be able to continue the passage of legislation and ministers will remain at the head of their departments.

In the latter scenario, the executive would not be able to meet in the absence of the first and deputy first ministers, so no new decisions could be taken.

An executive decision that was due to be taking in the coming weeks is the removal of remaining Covid restrictions.