Stormont election deadline delayed by a yearon February 9, 2023 at 11:37 am

The government will delay the requirement for forming an executive and holding an assembly election in Northern Ireland for another year.

The secretary of state is introducing legislation that will push the timetable back to 18 January 2024.

Chris Heaton-Harris has already previously delayed the legal duty on him.

He is due to inform the Stormont parties about the plan when he holds all-party talks with them later.

In a written update to Parliament, he said the bill would provide for a “single retrospective extension of the executive formation period for one year”.

“That would mean that, if the parties are unable to form an executive before 19 January 2024, I would again fall under a duty to hold an assembly election within 12 weeks.

“The legislation will also enable the government to bring this new period to an early end and move to elections sooner, if necessary.”

Mr Heaton-Harris said restoring the executive remained his top priority.

He added that having spoken to political and business representatives, he had concluded another election at this time was not the best course of action to facilitate the restoration of the executive.

The secretary of state made reference to his discussions in Brussels on Wednesday with EU chief negotiator Maros Sefcovic about the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The UK and EU have been working towards finalising a deal.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he was “clear this extension does not influence protocol discussions”.

Under the terms of the new legislation, if an executive is not restored by 18 January 2024, the earliest an election could then take place would be 29 February with the latest poll date 11 April.

The legislation is expected to be debated by MPs in the House of Commons on 22 February.

But the government said elections may still be called at any time during this year if deemed necessary or required.