UK extends deadline to call Northern Ireland election

Britain pushed back a deadline to call a new election in Northern Ireland, which has been without a working devolved government since February.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris told the House of Commons he would push back the deadline by six weeks with the option of extending it by a further six weeks

"I will be introducing legislation to provide a short, straightforward extension to the period of executive formation, extending the current period by six weeks to the 8th December with the potential for a further six week extension to 19 January if necessary," Heaton-Harris told parliament.