Could this be the end of the road for Stormont?

With no deal on the table our Political Correspondent Jordan Moates looks at the options left for the Secretary of State.

Press Association
Published 3rd Jul 2017
Last updated 3rd Jul 2017

After a decade of ups and downs could it be the end of Stormont today?

Another deadline has been and gone and the parties have once again failed to reach an agreement. The Secretary of State has taken the weekend to consider his next steps and will address parliament today.

Last week James Brokenshire warned there would be "profound and serious consequences" if there is no deal to form an executive.

Efforts to restore the power-sharing institutions didn't completely stop when last Thursday's deadline passed - instead they half-heartedly limped on in the knowledge that another few days would not solve the crisis.

Friday night's discussions didn't end on the best of terms, so all eyes will now be on the Secretary of State and the choices which to this point he has been somewhat reluctant to discuss.

He could pause this talks process until the autumn - giving space for parties to reflect over the summer, with the real threat of an election if there is no agreement.

Or he could get emergency legislation passed and allow direct rule to be implemented.

Either way, right now, James Brokenshire is fast becoming the most powerful person in Northern Ireland politics.