Sinn Féin triggers collapse of Stormont Executive

Sinn Féin has declined to re-nominate a deputy first minister in a move set to collapse the powersharing executive in Belfast and trigger a snap election.

Barring a highly unlikely U-turn by the republican party, the institutions will now fall at 5pm on Monday and Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire will be legally obliged to call the election.

The DUP renominated their party leader as First Minister at the start of Assembly business at Parliament Buildings on Monday.

Nominating Ms Foster, Lord Morrow said: “We will decide who the leader of our party is, not someone else in this chamber.

“We don’t dictate to others who should be their leader and no one is going to dictate to us today who the leader of our party.”

However Sinn Féin declined to replace Mr McGuinness.

The Sinn Féin veteran quit over the Democratic Unionists' handling of a botched green energy scheme.

Sinn Féin MLA Michelle O’Neill, said: “If we are to return to this chamber then there must be real meaningful change. There must be respect and equality for all sections of our society.

“These institutions must operate to the highest standard with no place for arrogance or malpractice. It’s now over to the people to have their say.”