Jim Allister has accused the NI Executive X account of being used to “promote republican terrorism” following posts about First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s attendance at the Easter Rising commemoration in Dublin.

Sunday’s events marking the 110th anniversary of 1916 uprising against British rule was led President Catherine Connolly and attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Defence Minister Helen McEntee and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

More than 200 members of the Irish Defence Forces took part in the proceedings, which saw Capt Eva Houlihan read the proclamation of Irish Republic at the GPO, where President Connolly also laid a wreath.

But Mr Allister took issue with the first minister’s attendance being posted by the joint Stormont leaders’ official X (formerly Twitter) account.

The TUV leader said “unionists are participating in a government which allows the official Executive platform to be used in this way”.

“Unionists need to answer a very simple question: what is the point of being in government if the official Northern Ireland Executive account can be used to promote republican terrorism?” he asked.

“The DUP have repeatedly told the public that nothing happens within the Executive Office without Emma Little-Pengelly’s approval. They point to supposed unionist safeguards and vetoes. So who authorised this post? Will it now be removed? And if Unionists cannot prevent this, what exactly are they in government to do?”

Mr Allister claimed the NI Executive account “was used to highlight an event rooted in a tradition of murder, violence and bloodshed”.

“There should be no ambiguity about what was being endorsed. Michelle O’Neill herself stated: ‘Today, we remember the generations of Irish men and women who devoted their lives to the cause of freedom.’

“This was not simply about Pearse, Connolly and Clarke—grave as that would be. It was about a tradition later claimed by those responsible for La Mon, Enniskillen, Kingsmill and countless other atrocities which filled graves with innocent people across Ulster.”

The North Antrim MP said the public was entitled to “clear answers”.

“Who approved this, why it was approved, and what unionists in government are now going to do about it?” he asked.

Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey described Mr Allister’s remarks as a “throwback”.

“At Easter, we remember the many Irish republicans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of Irish freedom,” she said.

“Inspired by their sacrifices and their commitment we look forward with confidence and determination to building a new, inclusive, tolerant, and united Ireland.

“Jim Allister needs to come to terms with the reality that the days of unionist domination are gone and are never coming back.”