Decision on whether to extend deadline for Northern Ireland election due

A failure to form a Stormont ministerial executive following May’s election has placed a legal responsibility on the Government to hold a poll by January 19.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris will make a statement to the House of Commons (Brian Lawless/PA)

The British government will later announce whether a January deadline for holding an election in Northern Ireland is to be extended.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris will make a statement to the House of Commons amid pressure to push back the deadline to give more time for a deal on post-Brexit trade to be struck.