news: Northern Ireland latest: Arlene Foster says there is 'no prospect' of deal to restore Stormont government

There is currently “no prospect” of an agreement to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster has said.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader called on the UK Government to reassert direct rule over the region after admitting there are still “serious and significant differences” between her party and Sinn Fein.

Northern Ireland has now been without a regional government for more than a year.

Ms Foster’s stark warning comes after weeks of talks aimed at breaking the impasse between the parties.

It will be seen as a blow to Theresa May, who travelled to the region on Monday in an attempt to help seal a deal after it was widely reported that an agreement was close.

The Prime Minister suggested at the time that only “one final push” was needed to reach a deal.

Leo Varadkar, the Irish Prime Miniser, also cancelled other plans in order to travel to Northern Ireland to try to help broker an agreement.

However, Ms Foster said the negotiations “have been unsuccessful”.

The DUP and Sinn Fein have been unable to reach a compromise on the issue of an Irish language act, she said.