Michelle O’Neill says there isn’t a risk to Northern Ireland energy sharing after Jeffrey Donaldson’s resignation

There isn’t any risk to Northern Ireland’s power-sharing settlement after the chief of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) resigned over allegations of historic sexual offences, First Minister Michelle O’Neill has mentioned.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson stepped down on Friday. It is known he can be “strenuously contesting” all costs in opposition to him.

Sinn Fein vp Ms O’Neill informed Sky News she has approached the leaders of the three different events within the ministerial govt in Belfast to make sure “cohesion” amid the political fallout.

The deal that restored power sharing earlier this 12 months hinged on the backing of Donaldson.

“I think everybody was shocked,” Ms O’Neill mentioned 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 extra:
Who is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson?
What is power sharing and why is the system used?

No risk to energy sharing

Ms O’Neill mentioned all of the social gathering leaders shared the view there isn’t a risk to the power-sharing establishments.

“The public here rightly deserve our newly formed executive to continue to deliver for them for now and into the future,” she mentioned.

“My priority is to make that power sharing work, my priority is to work with the other political leaders around the executive table.

“That was why I assumed it was essential yesterday to succeed in out to every of the political leaders to speak concerning the want for cohesion, to speak concerning the want for management and to speak concerning the supply that we now must get on with by way of the manager itself.”

She added she intended to “present management” and to make sure the power-sharing government got results on the “day-to-day issues that folks need us to be prioritising”.

“The public rightly anticipate their political leaders to ship for them. That’s the place I’m going to be targeted,” she mentioned.

‘Victims should have alternative for justice’

It got here after Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly mentioned she was “shocked and devastated” by the news of the fees in opposition to Donaldson.

She added: “Victims must always have the best opportunity for justice. This must be fully respected and supported.

“My ideas are with these struggling who’ve put their religion within the felony justice system.

“Protecting the integrity of that process necessitates significant restrictions on what can be said. I have faith in our justice system.”

Ms Little-Pengelly went on to say that she was “determined” to work with the interim social gathering chief Mr Robinson to “provide stability” and proceed “tackling the big issues faced by Northern Ireland”.

Donaldson due in court docket in April

Donaldson has led the DUP since 2021 and has been the MP for Lagan Valley since 1997.

The 61-year-old will seem in court docket in Newry, Co Down, on 24 April.

A 57-year-old girl has been charged with aiding and abetting offences in relation to the identical police investigation.

He has been suspended by the social gathering however it’s understood he stays an MP.