Stormont row ‘won’t derail Brexit’

Political chaos in Northern Ireland will not derail Brexit, Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said.

With a Stormont election on the cards, Mr Brokenshire warned the parties of the dangers of running divisive campaigns and how they could hamper efforts to rebuild power sharing in Belfast.

A deadline of 5pm today has been set for Sinn Féin to nominate a deputy first minister to replace Martin McGuinness. His resignation was precipitated by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal — a botched eco-scheme set to cost £490m — but the row also reignited a range of other disputes dividing the DUP/Sinn Féin-led coalition.