British Government planning for direct rule in Northern Ireland

Boris Johnson’s government is considering imposing direct rule in Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a senior minister had admitted.

Such a move would effectively suspend the Good Friday Agreement, which is based heavily on the idea of devolved government, and would infuriate the nationalist parties in Northern Ireland.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and Johnson’s de facto deputy, said senior ministers were looking “very carefully” at whether legislation would be needed for the government to take direct control of the region.

The admission follows reports that officials have warned ministers that the region would struggle to cope without a functioning government if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The executive at the Northern Ireland assembly collapsed in January 2017 and while talks to restore power-sharing are ongoing, it is far from clear that a resolution will be found by 31 October, the current Brexit deadline.

Mr Raab said the government would ensure there was “no vacuum” in the region in the event of no deal.

Via The Independent