Sinn Féin support for the police in Northern Ireland is a prerequisite for its involvement in government in Northern Ireland, the Rev Ian Paisley said today.
The Democratic Unionist leader made the claim after a report from the Stormont Preparation for Government Committee confirmed its members backed a proposal that the British government should transfer policing and justice powers to a single devolved government department.
The report also revealed that MLAs failed to reach unanimous agreement on a proposal that all parties serving in an executive must publicly endorse and urge their supporters to back the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
During a debate on the report in the Assembly, Mr Paisley said the IRA had demonstrated no support for the forces of law and order, and until they did there was no place for Sinn Féin in government.
"There will be no executive that includes those who refuse to support the police by word and deed," Dr Paisley warned.
Sinn Féin boycotted today's debate, which came the day after Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain told the party's Assembly members their support for policing would provide an "enormous boost" to the efforts to restore devolution.
Law and order was absolutely fundamental to the establishment of any lasting democratic form of devolution in Northern Ireland, Dr Paisley said.
"A party wishing to sit in government over the people of Northern Ireland yet at the same time not supporting the police will be resisted by all right- thinking people. . . The days of those who would undermine democracy and the rule of law in government are over for ever."
PA