DUP leader Gavin Robinson has called on UUP MLAs to support a petition of concern to block an Assembly amendment that would raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14. He warned that those failing to act will have to answer for themselves.

The Assembly is set to debate the Justice Bill on Monday. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has proposed an amendment to increase the age from 10 to 14, with exceptions for the most serious offences of murder, manslaughter and rape. Northern Ireland's current age of criminal responsibility is 10, matching England and Wales, while Scotland and the Republic of Ireland set it at 12.

The amendment is backed by Sinn Fein and the SDLP but opposed by the DUP, UUP leader Jon Burrows and the TUV. The DUP has tabled a petition of concern, a mechanism requiring cross-community support, which would need the signatures of four UUP MLAs in addition to the 25 DUP and one TUV member.

Without the petition, the amendment is expected to pass with majority support from Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance. Former UUP MLA and justice spokesperson Doug Beattie has previously backed raising the age to 12.

In a letter to party members, Mr Robinson linked the amendment to recent street violence in Northern Ireland, arguing that raising the age would remove criminal justice responses for young people involved in attacks on communities. He described the proposal as beyond stupid and dangerous.

Mr Robinson said that while he was grateful for cooperation from Jon Burrows and TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, other unionists who agree with the position were failing to take the required action. He referenced past legislation on climate change and education that he said passed due to party politics, urging UUP MLAs to avoid repeating what he called a mistake on public safety.

The DUP leader urged UUP members to consider whether internal grievances should take precedence over working together on fundamental issues of law and order. He said those unionists who choose not to sign the petition will have to answer for themselves.