McGuinness as First Minister ‘would show progress’
The Secretary of State Owen Paterson has said Martin McGuinness becoming first minister would be an endorsement of Northern Ireland’s political progress.
Mr Patterson said that local people would decide on the make up of the Assembly at the next election.
He said: “I think it would be an extraordinary endorsement of the progress that has been made here.
“I think we should celebrate the fact that everybody wants to vote.”
Mr Paterson made the comments on the BBC’s Hearts and Minds programme on Thursday.
He added: “How that election turns out is absolutely not for me as Secretary of State to comment on.
“It is up to local people to go to the polling booths and vote.”
