Negotiations on a new power-sharing executive for Northern Ireland break down

Negotiations to establish a new power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland between Sinn Féin and the DUP have broken down. Sinn Féin leader in the north, Michelle O’Neill said the party “will not be supporting nominations for Speaker or the Executive” on March 27, the deadline to form a new executive. (Story developing) Background Following snap elections on March 2, Northern Ireland’s political parties have been locked in negotiations for three weeks in an attempt to form a new executive. The Assembly is scheduled to hear nominations for Speaker, First Minister and Deputy First Minister beginning Monday at noon, and 4 p.m. is the deadline for the parties to reach a deal. If no agreement is reached on Monday, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire faces a choice: He can extend negotiations – with the consent of the parties – or call a new round of elections.

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As it happened