Secretary of State for Northern Ireland claims the country’s political meltdown will NOT delay Brexit

THE POLITICAL chaos in Northern Ireland will fail to delay Brexit, Secretary of State James Brokenshire declared yesterday.

The Tory Minister admitted it was “probable” elections will have to be held in the province.

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The Stormont Government will collapse unless a replacement can be found for Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness by 5pm today.

But Mr Brokenshire insisted “nothing” will delay the triggering of Article 50 by the end of March – which begins a formal two-year period of EU divorce talks.

Campaigners have warned it would be impossible to stick to the timetable if the Northern Irish Assembly is not sitting.

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Mr Brokenshire said: “The work that I do as Secretary of state in talking to all of the different players and partners in Northern Ireland, getting their feedback, I think that has given us already a very good indication as to the issues that really matter.

“And I should stress we are not delaying the timetable, we still remain absolutely committed to triggering the Article 50 process by no later than the end of March, and nothing changes that.”