Dave Anderson MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, responding to the collapse of the Assembly in Northern Ireland, said:

“I am saddened that we have reached the current political impasse in Northern Ireland. 

“We must see a renewed commitment from the Government that all steps will be taken in order to ensure the maintenance of devolved Government in Northern Ireland. 

“In the weeks that come whilst Northern Ireland goes through the process of electing a new Assembly I strongly urge the Secretary of State James Brokenshire MP not to allow the campaigning to get in the way of bringing people together to deal with all of the underlying problems that caused this election in the first place.  If there is no movement on these issues during the election periods it will take us back to square one.”