Northern election is increasingly likely

The Irish and British governments have conceded an election is increasingly likely as Stormont’s power-sharing administration heads for collapse.

The clock is ticking on dissolution of the devolved institutions, with Northern Ireland secretary of state James Brokenshire set to call an election at the start of next week.

The DUP has called for fresh negotiations to avoid a “brutal” contest but Sinn Féin insisted the matter should be placed before the people.