UUP leader Nesbitt responds to DUP leader Peter Robinson's criticism

Peter Robinson said 'exiting the field of play... can only ever be a last resort'

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has said it is "remarkable" that DUP leader Peter Robinson "cannot agree with me that enough is enough and take a principled stand".

The UUP is to leave the Northern Ireland Executive after police said Provisional IRA members were involved in murdering ex-IRA man Kevin McGuigan.

Mr Robinson said the UUP's decision was "irresponsible and illogical".

He said it was time "to stand and fight for democratic principles".

Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Northern Ireland's first minister said it was "a time for cool heads, clear thinking and a steely resolve to ensure that democracy and the rule of law triumph over terror and murder".

Mr Robinson said he would be meeting the prime minister on Tuesday.

'Political expediency'

He said he agreed with police analysis that some IRA members were involved in the recent murder of Kevin McGuigan and that some IRA structures remain in place.

The DUP leader said this kind of activity was inconsistent with membership of the executive.

UUP leader Mike Nesbitt criticised Mr Robinson's 'language of the battlefield'

"In the coming days, we will hold fast to the fundamental principle that those who are in government in Northern Ireland cannot also be involved with those who engage in paramilitary and criminal activity," he said.

However, he said the UUP's decision to leave the executive was "not one of principle but of political expediency".

"Exiting the field of play is not a tactically clever first option - it can only ever be a last resort," he said.

'Soundbites'

Mr Robinson wrote: "This is not the time to flee the battlefield, it is the time to confront violent republicanism, to stand and fight for democratic principles and to do what is right for the law-abiding citizens of Northern Ireland who want to see our country prosper and reach its full potential."

In response, Mr Nesbitt said it was "incredible that he chooses the language of the battlefield to defend his stance".

He said: "Does he think the people of Northern Ireland have such short memories that they do not recall that when the DUP flip-flopped on their 'never, never, never, never' stance regarding sharing power with Sinn Féin, they promised 'a battle a day'?

"The problem for Peter Robinson is that there is no battlefield under his command."

Mr Nesbitt said the UUP would "not be deflected by ill-thought out soundbites from the leader of the DUP".