Northern Ireland crisis: Snap election to be held on 2 March

Stormont Credit: UTV

A snap election will be held in Northern Ireland on 2 March after the shock collapse of Stormont, the NI Secretary of State confirmed.

Speaking moments after the 5pm deadline elapsed, MP James Brokenshire said debate in the coming weeks will be "intense".

The announcement was sparked after Sinn Féin formally chose not to re-nominate a deputy first minister to replace Martin McGuinness.

Mr McGuinness resigned last week in protest at an allegedly corrupt Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme which was being overseen by first minister Arlene Foster.

One whistle-blower claimed that a farmer was aiming to collect about £1m over 20 years from the RHI for heating an empty shed.

Mr Brokenshire said: "No one should underestimate the challenge faced to the political institutions here in Northern Ireland and what is at stake.

"While it is inevitable that debate during an election period will be intense, I would strongly encourage the political parties to conduct this election with a view to the future of Northern Ireland and reestablishing a partnership government at the earliest opportunity after that poll.

"This is essential to the operation of devolved government."

The Northern Ireland Assembly will sit for the last time on 25 January, before it is dissolved the next day.

ITV News correspondent Peter Smith said: "The deadline for an agreement has now been and gone. Northern Ireland's power sharing government has collapsed, and there will now be another election.

"This election will be held on 2 March, 2017. Yet there is no guarantee there will be any agreement after another election.

"If these two sides still can't reach a compromise on a variety of issues - and let's face it, the divisions run deeper than a single scandal over a renewable heating scheme - there may be no power sharing deal, and that would mean Northern Ireland returning to Direct Rule from Westminster.

"The last time that happened was in 2002, and it took 5 years to resolve. There's no reason to believe this one will be fixed quickly and clearly."

The first minister and deputy minister lead an Executive Committee of Ministers in joint office, which means one cannot work in isolation from the other.

If the positions are left vacant for seven days the administration is effectively dead.