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There is no threat to Northern Ireland’s power-sharing agreement after the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) resigned over allegations of historical sexual offences, First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson stepped down on Friday. It is understood he will be “strenuously contesting” all charges against him.
Sinn Fein vice president Ms O’Neill told Sky News she has approached the leaders of the three other parties in the ministerial executive in Belfast to ensure “cohesion” amid the political fallout.
The deal that restored power sharing earlier this year hinged on the backing of Donaldson.
“I think everybody was shocked,” Ms O’Neill said of Friday’s developments.
“[It’s] a very challenging time, not least for those people that have come forward to the police.”
She added: “I’ve spoken to the new interim leader of the DUP, Gavin Robinson. I’ve also spoken to my executive colleagues, the political leaders around the executive table, just in terms of the work that we have to do, that we need to prioritise cohesion and leadership through these times.”
Read more:
Who is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson?
What is power sharing and why is the system used?
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‘It’s been a devastating revelation,’ Gavin Robinson says
No threat to power sharing
Ms O’Neill said all the party leaders shared the view there is no threat to the power-sharing institutions.
“The public here rightly deserve our newly formed executive to continue to deliver for them for now and into the future,” she said.
“My priority is to make that power sharing work, my…
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