DUP resignations go ahead

The Democratic Unionist Party today confirmed it had pulled its ministers out of the Northern Ireland power-sharing Executive.

The resignations of Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson and Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds took effect from noon.

The men tendered their notice to the Speaker of the Assembly on Tuesday following allegations of an IRA spy ring at the centre of government in Belfast.

The devolved administration is now expected to be suspended by Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid on Monday.