Stormont snap election looms as Sinn Fein sticks by withdrawal from executive

Northern Ireland is heading for a snap election after Sinn Fein triggered the implosion of the powersharing executive by declining to re-nominate a deputy first minister.

Barring a highly unlikely u-turn by the republican party, the institutions will now fall at 5pm on Monday and Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will be legally obliged to call the election.