PM: "We will do all we can to restore power-sharing"
Theresa May has told Northern Ireland politicians the UK Government remains committed to reinstating devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Last updated 1st Jul 2017
It comes as Sinn Fein urged the Prime Minister and Taoiseach to intervene in Stormont talks, after another deadline passed without agreement on Thursday.
The DUP criticised the party, saying they shouldn't need anyone to "hold their hands" through negotiations.
Mrs May spoke with both DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill, in telephone calls on Friday evening.
The PM told Ms Foster the Government would do "everything we can'' to help the parties reach a successful conclusion.
A Number 10 spokeswoman added: "On the ongoing talks, the Prime Minister said it was encouraging to see discussions continuing and it was important that momentum is maintained so an Executive can be restored and they both agreed that this was in the interest of everyone in Northern Ireland.''
Mrs May spoke separately to Ms O'Neill, telling her the UK "remains steadfast in our commitment to making sure Northern Ireland has the political stability it requires''.
"They both agreed on the need for the Executive to be restored for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland,'' the spokeswoman added.
"The Prime Minister recognised that constructive discussions had taken place between the parties and urged them both to come together reach a collective agreement so that devolved government could be restored in Northern Ireland."
Talks ended inconclusively late on Friday evening with the Irish language act proving a stubborn sticking point.
Sinn Fein called a hastily arranged press conference on Friday evening.
Conor Murphy hit back at claims from the DUP that their stance was impacting on Northern Ireland's public services.
"If the DUP are genuinely concerned about the operation of this institution, about the budgets and the services available through health and education, then they need to take their heads out of the sand and recognise and deal with the issues that caused the collapse of these institutions.
"The issues are very clear and when people come out and say to you, we should just get the institutions up and running again and put these issues off somewhere else, that means they haven't yet accepted what brought down the institutions in the first place."
Talks continue at Stormont on Saturday chaired by Sir Malcolm McKibbin, despite him formally retiring as head of the Civil Service on Friday.
Parties asked Mr McKibbin to stay on and help mediate.