Sinn Féin stands firm as election set to be triggered

An election in the North loomed closer last night after Sinn Féin reaffirmed its intention not to put forward a candidate for the position of deputy first minister when the Stormont Assembly reconvenes today.

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, a Sinn Féin South Belfast Assembly member, said the situation was “moving inexorably towards an election”, a week on from Martin McGuinness’s resignation over the so-called ‘cash for ash’ crisis.

Signalling that it is now on an election footing, Sinn Féin selected its three sitting candidates to contest the West Belfast constituency.