The First Minister of Northern Ireland has quit after it emerged Brexit border controls on British goods had continued despite a DUP order that the protocol checks should be stopped.
Paul Givan’s resignation will also force Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill to quit as Deputy First Minister, which will leave the Northern Ireland Assembly paralysed ahead of May 5 elections.
Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Fein leader whose party has opened up an 8 per cent lead over the DUP according to a recent poll, demanded an early election. “In the absence of a functioning executive an early election must be called,” Ms McDonald said.
This is a breaking news story with more to follow.
