Martin McGuinness has announced his resignation as Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland in protest at the Democratic Unionist Party’s handling of a botched renewable energy scheme.
The Sinn Fein veteran’s move, which will come into effect at 5pm on Monday, is likely to lead to a snap Assembly election in the region.
Mr McGuinness announced his decision after his partner in government, DUP First Minister Arlene Foster, repeatedly refused to step down to facilitate a probe into the ill-fated Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – a scheme that has left Stormont facing a £490 million overspend.