Paisley warns SF power sharing

DUP leader Ian Paisley has warned against being forced into government with "people who have not foresworn their terrorism".

Speaking after being elected in North Antrim, Mr Paisley said :"The people have spoken and now the British government must listen to those that are pledged to democracy and righteousness".

Asked if Northern Ireland power sharing would be abandoned if the March 26th deadline is not met Mr Paisley said: "No, all I can say I am meeting the Secretary of State tomorrow. If he says that, I'll announce it to the world that the Secretary of State has rejected the democratic vote of the majority of people of this province, and if he wants to bring that down on his head he can."

Dublin and London have warned the parties that if agreement on a power sharing is not reached by March 26th, the Assembly and its functions will be abandoned in favour of direct rule and more involvement from the Republic.

But Mr Paisley told the BBC: "This is an election in which Sinn Féin/IRA have been defeated, roundly defeated. This is an election where those who would sit with them have been defeated as well. Look at the state of the SDLP tonight, look at the state of the Official Unionist Party tonight.

"If you call the type of executive that you want me to serve in as a real executive then I'm sorry you've gone so far down the road of political ruin.

"I believe in democracy, I believe that the people of Northern Ireland have no right to be told by you or anyone else that they must join up with people who have not foresworn their terrorism.

"I will not be surrendering the inalienable rights of this people as part of the United Kingdom to have democracy, pure democracy".