Focus Must Be On Restoring Stormont – SDLP

Everyone's focus must be on restoring the Stormont institutions to deal with the challenges facing people in the North, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said.

He was speaking after Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris extended the deadline for an Executive to be formed and announced his intention to cut MLAs pay.

Mr Eastwood said the idea of an election should be put to one side and the DUP should return to Stormont to deal with the issues impacting families.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "With the Secretary of State having pushed the idea of an election and the prospect of a deal between the British government and the EU on the Protocol getting closer every day, the DUP has no excuse for continuing their boycott of the Stormont institutions. They have no justifiable reason for hanging about while people's homes get colder and their cupboards get emptier.

"I welcome the move to cut MLAs pay, let me be clear – SDLP MLAs want to be at Stormont every day working to deal with the huge number of issues impacting people in our communities, but while they are prevented from doing a key part of their jobs and so many families here are struggling, we understand the frustration the public is feeling.

"The DUP are rapidly running out of road, they have said they will return to the institutions when a Protocol deal is reached and it's time they respected the democratic decision of the electorate in May and got back to work."

Election Delay Does Not Change Need For Reform – Long

The Secretary of State's decision to delay any potential election has not changed the pressing need for reform of the institutions, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said.

She was speaking after Chris Heaton-Harris announced legislation to extend the period in which an Executive can be formed by 12 weeks, as well as measures to reduce MLA pay and give civil servants more powers to address finances.

"Today's clarity from the Secretary of State is welcome, particularly around the powers of civil servants relating to finances, given the perilous state of our public services. Any further drift would have made an already rudderless ship even more unstable," said Mrs Long.

"In addition, Alliance has been calling for the cut to MLA pay for some time, given how unsustainable that situation has been.

"However, the overall picture has not changed. As long as any one party can take the institutions hostage, they will. Therefore we need reform of the Assembly and Executive to stop that happening, or else we could easily be back in this same situation again in a matter of months.

"When the Assembly is restored, it needs to be done on a stable and sustainable basis to ensure its long-term stability, and to end the spectre of ransom politics hanging over it. It is the only way to deliver effective government.

"In the meantime, I again appeal to the DUP to end their boycott and stop the deadlock they have caused. Return to the Assembly and Executive so the people of Northern Ireland can have the leadership they voted for only a number of months ago."

Shots Fired At House In Newtownards

An investigation has been launched into a shooting incident in Newtownards.

According to police, a number of shots were fired at the lviving room window of a house on Shackleton Walk in the West Winds estate just before 1am.

There are no reports of anyone being injured in the incident.

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone who has CCTV footage of the incident to contact them.