Chris Lyttle MLA said: “Raising the prospect of a border poll is inflammatory and reckless in the current climate.
“Sinn Fein should not proceed with this campaign but rather should reassure the community of their commitment to buildings a united community and shared future in Northern Ireland. This is not going to happen while Sinn Fein are using the language of a border poll.
“There is no possibility of it taking place or having the outcome they desire at this stage.
“The support for the Good Friday Agreement and recent census results show this is the desire of the majority of Northern Ireland. Even the Irish Government have said that the conditions have not been reached for a border poll to be called.
“The publication of 40,000 leaflets misrepresenting a shared future at Belfast City Hall played on the politics of fear, Sinn Fein are showing a similar lack of responsible leadership by instigating this campaign at this time.”
ENDS