DUP suspension over Adams claims

Nelson McCausland was ordered to leave the Assembly for the day

DUP assembly member Nelson McCausland has been suspended from Stormont for a day over allegations about Gerry Adams.

He claimed the Sinn Féin president had been the IRA leader who set up secret units to murder suspected informers and dispose of their bodies.

Mr Adams denied the claims made during a debate on the Disappeared at the Assembly on Monday.

On Tuesday, Mr McCausland refused to withdraw his words and speaker Willie Hay ordered him to leave the chamber.

"These allegations were very clearly denied and refuted by the member concerned in the house here yesterday, Mr Adams," the Speaker said.

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Speaker William Hay asks DUP party colleague Nelson McCausland to leave

"I regard the remarks as being unparliamentary and I would call on Mr McCausland to withdraw the remarks."

Mr McCausland said: "The statements were based on extracts from Ed Moloney's book, A Secret History of the IRA, which is available in book shops and in the library of this assembly.

"I will not therefore be withdrawing the statement. Since Mr Adams keeps calling for truth recovery I think it is important that we get to the truth on this matter."

Mr Hay ordered the North Belfast assembly member to leave the chamber. As he walked out Mr McCausland was applauded by his DUP colleagues.