Boris Johnson latest news: Raab says stability ‘in peril’ after Sinn Fein win

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Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill hails ‘new era’ in Northern Ireland after victory

The British deputy prime minister said stability in Northern Ireland was “imperilled” by problems with its post-Brexit agreement, following Sinn Fein’s historic election success.

The unionist DUP will refuse to serve with the republican party in a power-sharing executive unless there are major changes to the NI protocol.

Dominic Raab told Sky News: “It’s clear from the dynamic that we now see that we won’t get to that position of stability unless and until it is fixed.”

Over in Westminster, Boris Johnson is planning to announce new laws that will “deliver on the promise of Brexit” as he looks to bounce back from a bruising set of results for the Tory party.

The British prime minister said he would reveal a “super seven” of Brexit Bills which will cut red tape and “unnecessary barriers inherited from the EU” in the Queen’s Speech next week.

Key PointsShow latest update 1652005774What is happening in Northern Ireland?

Dominic Raab said earlier today it was important to sort out power arrangements in Northern Ireland for stability.

Sinn Fein became the largest party in the assembly after their assembly triumph, meaning the republican party is entitled to the first minister’s role.

But uncertainty continues to hang over the future of the devolved legislature in Belfast. Let’s take a quick look at what is going on:

Will Michelle O’Neill become first minister?

She will certainly be entitled to the post but there is a distinct possibility Sinn Fein could be prevented from taking up the first minister’s job, in the short to medium term at least, due to a lack of a willing partner in government.

As the second largest party, the DUP is entitled to the first deputy minister role.

Crucially, however, a properly functioning ministerial executive cannot be formed without both roles being filled.

And the DUP has made clear it will not return to powersharing until changes to the Northern Ireland protocol have been secured.

Is a poll on a united Ireland any closer?

While Sinn Fein has gained no more power by displacing the DUP as the largest party, the result is undoubtedly a symbolically significant moment in the post-Good Friday Agreement era.

A party that wants to ultimately see the end of the state called Northern Ireland is entitled to serve as its first minister.

But the overall nationalist vote has not surged and is still behind the overall unionist vote, albeit the gap has narrowed in recent years.

And it is important to remember the responsibility for calling a vote lies squarely with the UK Government.

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 11:29

1652004514’Focus is on getting Stormont back up and running,’ Northern Ireland secretary says

Brandon Lewis also said there has not been a “growth” in the nationalist vote all in all.

“The number of seats held by unionist parties is still large,” he said.

“So I think the focus at the moment quite rightly is on getting Stormont back up and running.”

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 11:08

1652003614Northern Ireland secretary to meet Stormont leaders

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, has confirmed he will meet with the leaders of the Stormont parties tomorrow to talk about resurrecting the assembly.

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 10:53

1652003311Raab accuses Starmer of ‘rank hypocrisy’ over ‘beergate’

He has also spoken to BBC about accepting Sir Keir Starmer of a lockdown breach.

Dominic Raab was asked if it would be fair for the Labor leader to stay in his post even if fined, given that Boris Johnson did just that.

The deputy PM laughed, saying Sir Keir had a “bunch of questions” to answer, including over “rank hypocrisy.”

Here is a reminder of the ‘beergate’ claims:

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 10:48

1652002190’We’re going to have to fix the problem with the Northern Ireland Protocol’

Dominic Raab has made similar comments to the BBC this morning on the Northern Ireland protocol, saying problems with it needed to be fixed.

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 10:29

1652001434What is the Northern Ireland protocol?

It seems a pretty good time to recap what is in the Northern Ireland protocol, as well as the key sticking points.

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 10:17

1652000845Is PM still an asset? Depends on voter, Tory MP says

Boris Johnson has always been “a divisive character”, the chair of the foreign affairs committee has said.

Tory MP Tom Tugendhat was asked by Sophy Ridge on Sky News if the prime minister was still an asset to the Conservative party.

“Well, it depends on the voter,” he said.

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 10:07

1652000450But…

Labor frontbencher Lisa Nandy said Conservative ministers’ attacks on Keir Starmer over the so-called “Beergate” saga is “frankly absurd and pretty desperate”.

She would not say whether Starmer should resign if he is fined over a takeaway. “I’m not going to get into a hypothetical because I don’t believe for one moment he broke the rules,” the shadow levelling up secretary told BBC’s Sunday Morning.

Ms Nandy said: “It’s absurd to equate serial partying, lying and laughter … and a work event that people broke to eat.”

She added: “This is a game. This is a game where the Conservative party is in real trouble – they and their cheerleaders in the media are flinging mud in desperate attempts to get some of it to stick at their opponents.”

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 10:00

1652000150Deputy PM on ‘beergate’

Dominic Raab accused Sir Keir Starmer of “complete hypocrisy” over the Durham beer and curry event being investigated by police for a possible breach of coronavirus lockdown laws.

Asked if Sir Keir should quit, the justice secretary told Sky News: “It’s the rank double standards that drive people crazy.

“He needs to fess up and answer all of the holes in the account that he gave for that beer-and-curry event in Durham.””

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 09:55

1651999850Election results and homeownership?

Staying on the local election results for a moment, Michael Gove has suggested falling levels of home ownership were a key factor in the Conservatives’ heavy losses.

Zoe Tidman8 May 2022 09:50

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