Stormont parties to let government deadline expire

The deadline for the formation of a new power-sharing government in the North looks set to expire this afternoon with no prospect of agreement.

Today's Assembly session to appoint a First and deputy First Minister is expected to be suspended - and the Northern Secretary James Brokenshire will now decide the way forward. The DUP claims Sinn Féin is behaving like it's the only party with a mandate. But Sinn Féin leader Michelle O'Neill says its down to Arlene Foster's role in the so called cash for ash controversy.