UUP Slams Alliance 'Soul Selling'

Ulster Unionists would have "extreme reservations" about an Alliance Party Justice Minister at Stormont, a senior figure has warned.

Basil McCrea (pictured) also accused the Alliance leadership of 'selling its soul' to secure the ministerial portfolio.

Sinn Fein and the DUP are reportedly nearing a breakthrough on transferring policing and judiciary powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, almost three years after the devolved institutions were re-established.

Mr McCrea said any future minister should be appointed using the d'Hont system, which apportions Executive positions in accordance with political representation.

Under this procedure, Alliance would not warrant a ministerial role.

However, both the DUP and Sinn Fein have ruled themselves out of taking up the role, and insisted the minister must be chosen on a cross-community basis.

Naomi Long from Alliance said Mr McCrea's argument was inconsistent.

Mr McCrea's comments came after Alliance proposed a motions addressing "deep concern about the consequences for good governance".

"The message coming from the [Alliance] party is completely confused. On one hand they criticise the Executive for what it has described as failures, on the other hand they are scrambling for a position as justice minister," he said.

Alliance later withdrew the motion, which Mr McCrea said demonstrated the party's desire not to 'upset' Sinn Fein or the DUP.

Alliance deputy leader Ms Long said Mr McCrea's assertions were exploitative of the current political situation.

Talks aimed at finding a resolution to policing and justice issues will resume later.

(PR/GK)