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Emergency NI legislation passed in Westminster

Stormont - Power-sharing for 8 May
Stormont - Power-sharing for 8 May

Emergency legislation allowing yesterday's power-sharing deal in Northern Ireland to go ahead on 8 May was rushed through the British Parliament tonight with all-party backing.

British Northern Secretary Peter Hain hailed the 'triumph of peace over conflict' as the deadline for devolution was effectively extended by six weeks.

The bill cleared both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and later received royal assent.

Earlier today the DUP's sole member of the European Parliament, Jim Allister,  resigned from the party over its decision to enter government with Sinn Féin.

Speaking at a news conference in Belfast, he claimed Sinn Féin was not fit for government, nor would the party be fit in 'a few short weeks'.