Sinn Fein delegation to discuss Stormont fallout with PM

A delegation including newly elected party president Mary Lou McDonald and her deputy Michelle O'Neill are expected to tell the Prime Minister that direct rule is not an option when they meet at Downing Street.

Republicans are due to meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Simon Coveney in Dublin today to discuss the wrangle.

Ms McDonald said: "We will also make it clear to both governments that a return to direct rule from London is not an option.''

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), whose 10 MPs are propping up the Conservatives at Westminster, effectively ended talks aimed at bringing the 13-month political impasse to a close on Wednesday when leader Arlene Foster said she did not believe it would be possible to form an Executive.

Mrs Foster, who has defended the action, also called for the UK Government to set a budget and start making policy decisions about Northern Ireland.

However, the move, which came two days after the Prime Minister visited Northern Ireland, surprised many who had believed a deal had been close on contentious issues such as Irish language, marriage equality and the legacy of the past.

Ms McDonald said: "Michelle and I will be telling the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister it is the responsibility of the two governments to implement the agreements on legacy and an Irish Language Act and to provide for marriage equality.''

Meanwhile, the potentially dire consequences of a hard Brexit have been spelled out in a letter from the SDLP to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Urging Mr Corbyn to back full access and full alignment with the single market and customs union, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has also outlined the possibility of destabilising the Northern Ireland peace process.

He said: "My message to Mr Corbyn is simple, protect that positive Labour legacy rather than allowing a hard Brexit to destroy it.''

The majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to stay within the EU during the 2016 referendum.

Some 56% backed remain while 44% voted to leave.

Following a visit to Londonderry and Donegal last month, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer warned the Government must keep to solemn commitments, made during the first phase of Brexit negotiations, to avoid a hard border.

Mr Eastwood's letter was sent on Monday.

He wrote: "As you know, your party invested huge amounts of effort and time in helping to secure the peace process through the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

"Brexit threatens all that was achieved in that historic accommodation; it threatens the great positivity of that Labour legacy. Those institutions are currently experiencing severe strain, the imposition of a hard Brexit carries with it the potential to dismantle the architecture of our peace process. ''

Mr Eastwood also called for Mr Corbyn to show leadership on the matter.

"Many of us in Ireland have been greatly encouraged by the evolving position your party has adopted since the Brexit referendum result. Having come this far, I would urge you to take the next progressive step and advocate continued access to the European single market and customs union.

"In doing so, you will go a long way in protecting the historic progress that has been made over so many years in Northern Ireland. It would prove a decisive moment of leadership which holds the potential to finally turn the Brexit tide in all of our favours. It would be a moment of leadership which I firmly believe the peoples of Ireland and Britain will come to thank you for.'