Wheels could come off Stormont without reform, says Sinn Féin

"There is a danger that the wheels could come off" Stormont if institutions are not reformed, 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 if Murphy was "worried about his wheels coming off he should tighten his nuts" and that his party was "interested in delivering" for people.

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 saying the devolved institutions are in "a precarious place".

"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".

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. "

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

She said the difference between the DUP and her party was "we want to make reform work".

She called on the first and deputy first ministers and their parties "to agree to reform to make Northern Ireland work".

Leader of the opposition at Stormont the SDLP's Matthew O'Toole said his party had a "constructive" conversation with the secretary of state but described Stormont finances as being in a "crisis".

He said: "There are questions over how this place is funded by the UK government".

He added that Bryant and the executive parties "need to get to work" to agree a budget.

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.