Northern Ireland set for pre-Christmas Assembly election as deadline passes

The powersharing institutions at Stormont collapse earlier this year (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Ireland is on course for a pre-Christmas Assembly election as the deadline to restore devolved government at Stormont has elapsed.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is expected to call the election on Friday, following the failure of a last-ditch effort to restore the multi-party executive.