Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has not yet consulted his assembly members on whether they will support a petition of concern to block a rise in the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

The proposal, contained in the Justice Bill, would increase the age from 10 to 14, with exceptions for offences including murder, manslaughter and rape.

Sinn Féin, Alliance and the SDLP support the change. The DUP and Traditional Unionist Voice oppose it and have initiated the petition mechanism, which requires signatures from 30 MLAs across at least two parties.

The DUP holds 25 seats and the TUV holds one, so the petition needs at least four UUP signatures to succeed.

Burrows stated that he believes the change is reckless and that its supporters have not considered the consequences.

He said the party will reach a position after discussing the merits of the petition.

The Department of Justice reported strong public support for the increase in 2023. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has recommended a minimum age of at least 14.