Northern Ireland secretary says he will call Stormont election after attempts to restore executive fail

The UK’s Northern Ireland secretary has said he “will be calling an election” in the nation after a deadline to restore devolved government at Stormont passed at midnight.

Yesterday, last-ditch efforts to restore the multi-party executive failed and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris had been expected to subsequently call an election today and announce the date on which it would take place.

Speaking to broadcasters on Friday, Mr Heaton-Harris said he will provide an update on the snap Northern Ireland Assembly election next week, adding that talks with Stormont parties will continue.

There has been speculation the poll would be held on 15 December.

The Northern Ireland secretary added that he is “deeply disappointed” to now be faced with “limited options”.

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“This is a really serious situation, as of a minute past midnight last night there are no longer ministers in office in the Northern Ireland Executive,” he said.

“I will take limited but necessary steps to ensure that public services do continue to run and to protect the public finances but there is a limit to what the secretary of state can do in these circumstances.”

He added: “I hear it when the parties say that they really do not want an election at all. But nearly all of them are parties who signed up to the rules, the law.

“That means I need to call an election so you’ll hear more from me on that particular point next week.”

Mr Heaton-Harris continued: “I have listened to the party leaders, I am going to talk to them all again next week. But I will be calling an election.

“Nearly all the parties who have been saying this won’t help the situation actually signed up to the rules that make this situation happen. Why call it now? Because I am legally bound to do so.”

With no ministerial executive in place, the UK government has a legal duty to call another election.

Stormont ministers, who have been operating in shadow form since the assembly collapsed earlier this year, also ceased to hold office at midnight.

Senior civil servants will now have responsibility for running devolved departments – but their powers are limited.