Politics

Northern Ireland faces election in 12 weeks as DUP boycotts parliament

Powersharing in the region collapsed after the unionist party pushed for a new Brexit deal

The Stormont parliament building in Belfast. Picture: Getty

Elections for the Stormont assembly could be held within 12 weeks, the UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary has said.

The UK government had been due to call an election tonight, as the latest deadline to re-establish power sharing in the region failed.

However, Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, confirmed he will not immediately call a Stormont election.

“If no Executive is formed today, I’ll be under a legal duty to hold elections to the Assembly ...