\n<\/p>\n
Alliance Party deputy leader E\u00f3in Tennyson branded the no-confidence motions a “political stunt” designed to collapse Stormont.<\/p>\n
Tennyson described the debate as “depressing, dispiriting and almost unbelievable”, warning that power-sharing institutions were “once again being placed in jeopardy”.<\/p>\n
However, he also said any elected representatives found to have acted unlawfully in recent weeks “should face the consequences of that conduct”. <\/p>\n
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) assembly member Matthew O’Toole, leader of Stormont’s official opposition, welcomed the NI Secretary’s decision to ban the Drumcree parade, a dispute which he said had “opened up deep wounds that didn’t need to be reopened”.<\/p>\n
O’Toole said he was not “diminishing or trivialising the rule of law” and his party would “cooperate” with investigations.<\/p>\n
“Because we do accept the rule of law and the need for the PSNI and the courts to do their job,” he added.<\/p>\n
“But we were also founded, the SDLP, in the tradition of peaceful protest.<\/p>\n
“That’s in our DNA and that right is sacrosanct, and sometimes such action is unavoidable.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n