Legislation to set March 7 date for Assembly vote

The British government is due to publish new legislation today giving effect to the St Andrew's proposals for restoring devolution in the North.

The bill will set March 7 as the date for fresh Assembly elections to endorse the proposals, rather than the more risky option of a referendum.

It will also introduce changes at the behest of the DUP that the ministerial pledge of office include express support for the police and that the system of electing the First Minister and Deputy First Minister be changed so that the unionist party will not have to vote for a Sinn Féin nominee.