UUP has created ‘new political impetus’: Beggs

“To be very clear, all we have done so far is to resign posts on the Executive,” Mr Beggs told the Times.

“We look to have a functioning and properly working Northern Ireland Assembly that is accountable to the people of Northern Ireland .

“We are continuing to work as Assembly members on committees and continue to carry out the other duties that Assembly members have been appointed to do.

“There is no requirement to be in government to be Deputy Speaker.

“That issue hasn’t arisen in conversations with any of my colleagues.

“In Westminster the speaker and deputy speakers come from a variety of parties, just like the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

Mr Beggs added that the UUP had now moved into opposition, rather than being in government.

When asked by the Times how the UUP plans to assume the opposition when Stormont is a mandatory coalition government, Mr Beggs replied: “We have been pressing for many years that legislation should be put in place to give a more formal role for opposition.

“I as a member of the Assembly Review Committee agreed had hoped that something would be in place for a more formal role but within the framework of the Executive.”

When asked whether the UUP’s withdrawal from the Executive is simply electioneering, Mr Beggs replied: “We decided, particularly with the recent murder by IRA members, that for a range of issued we should not be in government at this time.

“The Republican movement has indicated that they are on a ceasefire but there is ongoing activity from a range of organisations including the IRA.

“Our decision has ratcheted up pressure to ensure that decisions are made.”

Referring to the Stormont stalemate on welfare reform, Mr Beggs continued: “By failing to do something greater pain will come down the track.

“Last year large cuts had to be set in-year, that may happen next year and it could happen this year with the failure to resolve welfare reform.”

Mr Beggs said that the UUP’s resignation from the Executive had created a “new political impetus.”

In order to restore trust in the Executive, Mr Beggs said he favoured “the return of the Independent Monitoring Commission to follow the activities of paramilitaries from all sides.”

“Ultimately we need truthfulness from Republicans,” said Mr Beggs.

When asked whether he felt the Stormont Assembly could collapse due to the UUP withdrawal, Mr Beggs said: “That is a decision for the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Mr Beggs also accused the two main parties of treating Ulster Unionist MLAs and ministers in an “intolerable” manner, citing the situation of former DRD Minister Danny Kennedy.

“Previously part of the DRD budget was meant to be £20 million a year coming from the Harbour Commission,” he stated.

“But two years ago legal advice was got which indicated that under current legislation the Executive couldn’t require them to pay £20 million a year.

“Over two years the Executive made up the money from other parts of the budget, last year they didn’t.

“This was as well as a 4.4 per cent reduction in-year and a further £20 million of unexpected cuts.

“As well as the budget cuts the DRD Minister implemented the 4.4 per cent cuts, but couldn’t manage the full £20million, he got an additional £13 million savings through difficult decisions such as to stop fixing lights.

“The Finance Minister criticised the DRD for the £7 million overspend when he created the situation.”