Stormont fails to elect new speaker just hours before deadline for new election

“Unionists will not accept joint authority. Joint authority would be an abandonment of the Good Friday Agreement and if that’s what the Irish government want to do, then let them be honest and say,” said Jeffrey Donaldson.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson confirms his party will not nominate ministers to the Stormont Executive.(Rebecca Black/PA)

The Stormont Assembly has failed to elect a new speaker just hours ahead of a deadline for fresh elections.

MLAs were recalled for a special sitting with the first order of business being electing a new speaker, SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole nominated his party colleague Patsy McGlone, while UUP leader Doug Beattie nominated his party colleague Mike Nesbitt for the position.