Elections in the North could lead to ‘animosity’

Fresh elections in the North could lead to enmity and animosity and are unlikely to create a radically different assembly.

That was the warning from senior Irish figures last night as the Stormont executive in Belfast collapsed after the ‘cash for ash’ scandal and elections were announced for early March.

After 10 years of partnership between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin, the assembly was dissolved following the resignation of deputy first minister Martin McGuinness over the row. The deadline for Sinn Féin to re-nominate a minister passed at 5pm yesterday.