'Wheels coming off Stormont', says Sinn Féin

Conor Murphy, grey hair, blue shirt with dark sweater. In Stormont hall

Image source, PA MediaImage caption,

Conor Murphy said neither the British or Irish Government should coast along

ByDarran MarshallBBC News NI

Published31 July 2026, 16:40 BST

Updated 9 minutes ago

Northern Ireland's devolved government's institutions are in "a precarious place" as the "wheels are coming off Stormont", according to Sinn Féin.

Conor Murphy was speaking after the political parties separately met Sir Chris Bryant, during his first visit to Northern Ireland as secretary of state.

He said Sinn Féin remained committed to power sharing but that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) "have demonstrated that they don't have a political will to make the executive work".

However, DUP leader Gavin Robinson responded saying that Murphy "should tighten his nuts" and that his party was "interested in delivering" for the people of Northern Ireland.

Parties in the Northern Ireland Executive have called for increased funding from the government so they can set a budget.

But speaking to the media after meeting Sir Chris on Friday, Murphy sounded an alarm bell over the future of the Stormont institutions.

"The British government can't coast along, and neither can Dublin coast along in the hope that things will be better on the other side.

"They need to engage now. They need to engage with all of the parties. They need to engage with the DUP to ensure that they actually approach this in this world of collaboration and cooperation, rather than that which we have seen over the last number of years".

Gavin Robinson, dark suit, stripy tie. He has glasses and grey hair

Image source, PA MediaImage caption,

Gavin Robinson has spoken out in response to Murphy's comments

Robinson responded: "My colleagues and I, whether it's party politically here in Hillsborough engagement with the government or in the executive, are committed to not only the institutions but delivering for the people we are proud to represent."

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly defended her party's performance in government.

"What you don't see us doing is when we don't get our way on a particular issue, is coming out and throwing a tantrum. What we do is we keep turning up and we keep that determination, and we continue to do that moving forward. "

'Take a step back'

Alliance leader Naomi Long said that without more flexibility and goodwill "we are going to struggle to make it to the next election".

She said the institutions were always in a precarious position adding "it's a possibility" that the institutions could collapse because either big party can walk away.

"Everyone needs to take a step back and deep breath. Focus on the next 10 months on what we can deliver."

Diane Armstrong of Ulster Unionist Party said she believes the only way forward is the stability of the Northern Ireland institutions

She said they had "a positive and frank engagement" with the secretary of state and agreed with the other parties that sufficient funding was needed.

"So much has been achieved to get it to [this] point, it is an absolute responsibility on everyone to make that successful.

"Similarly to Sinn Féin, we would call on the DUP to be responsible in their Executive position, both those parties, to agree to reform to make Northern Ireland work."

Sir Chris has been visiting Northern Ireland on Friday for a series of engagements, which included meeting the political parties at Hillsborough Castle.

It was his first visit since he was appointed to the job following Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month.