UUP leader ‘pessimistic’ over imminent Stormont assembly return

UUP leader Doug Beattie said he is ‘pessimistic’ about the return of the Stormont assembly (Liam McBurney/PA)

UUP leader Doug Beattie has expressed pessimism about the likelihood of the Stormont assembly being restored this year.

The assembly has been collapsed for more than a year amid DUP protest action over post-Brexit trading arrangements.