DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said he will not be “goaded” by Sinn Féin into collapsing powersharing at Stormont but warned he is not ruling the move out.
Mr Robinson claimed republicans were trying to provoke his party into withdrawing from the devolved institutions amid the ongoing fallout from the Drumcree parading dispute.
The party leader made the comments after meeting PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher in Belfast – an encounter that saw Mr Robinson press the police chief to prosecute Sinn Féin politicians who attended Sunday’s unlawful protest on the Garvaghy Road.
The East Belfast MP said he had told Mr Boutcher that he wanted to see police take action against those involved in the protest within a week.
He said he and party colleagues emphasised the “dangers” to society when laws are “flouted so clearly and so unquestionably by individuals holding senior office in this country”.
“So we couldn’t have been more frank of our expectations of the Chief Constable and his officers,” Mr Robinson said.
“We welcome the indication of his major investigation (into the protest). We have indicated that within a week we need to see the outworkings of that action. People of Northern Ireland need to have confidence that it’s the rule of law that governs what happens in this country.”
Claiming Sinn Féin was trying to provoke the DUP into pulling the plug on Stormont, he said: “Let’s be very frank with the people of Northern Ireland today – unionism is being goaded by Sinn Féin to pull down powersharing and to ruin the institutions – that’s what they want.
“A victory for Sinn Féin is to see a collapse where they can blame unionists, and I’m not a fool. We are not fools.”
Mr Robinson added: “The pressure should be on them because, in my view, they’ve given up (on Stormont). They’ve given up, but they want to blame unionists.
“If they have no commitment to making Northern Ireland work, then they can walk away but for as long as we have the ability to stand up for our people, and until we decide otherwise, we won’t be goaded into giving them what they want.”
Asked if he was ruling out withdrawing from the Executive, Mr Robinson said: “All of the options are open. What I’m indicating to you is that none of us are fools. We can see what is happening. We can see that people are trying to goad the unionist community into collapsing Stormont and not delivering for the people of Northern Ireland. And I’m indicating to you that we’re wise to the game, and so are the unionist people.
“I expect to see prosecutions. I expect to see the rule of law run in Northern Ireland, and I expect to see a solution that will deliver for people.
“If they (Sinn Féin) have given up, well, then let them tell you that. Let them be open and honest with the people of Northern Ireland that they’re not interested or they have no ability to make Northern Ireland work.
“That doesn’t mean that we have ruled out any option, but that’s me being clear and frank with you and the wider public of Northern Ireland.”
Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows also met with Mr Boutcher on Wednesday.
Afterwards, he said there needed to be “swift and visible” justice for Sinn Féin members who attended the unlawful parade on the Garvaghy Road.
“There has to be transparency in the follow-up operation by the police because there is scepticism in the community that when it comes to senior republicans, that they’re never brought to account,” he said.
“I support the PSNI. I thank them for the work that they’ve done to date. Now’s the time for them to get on the front foot, knock doors, bring people to justice and send a message that nobody in this country is above the law.
“And there is a window. There is ample evidence out there. I know from my policing experience, this could be turned round in days – and that’s what we expect.”
Mr Burrows also cautioned against any move to collapse powersharing at Stormont.
“Let me say this to any unionist that wants to collapse the Executive – you play into Sinn Féin’s hands,” he said.
“You allow them to say this is a failed state-let. You have then direct rule. You hand power to the people you say often let us down in Westminster.
“We might end up then with more consultative powers for the Irish government. That is not a strategy for unionism.
“Keep your head. Think long term. Ensure Sinn Féin face consequences and let’s get this resolved.”
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