A senior member of the Government has suggested that it would be difficult to impose direct rule in Northern Ireland because Sinn Fein are not in Westminster to represent the views of nationalists.

Cabinet Office minister David Lidington visited Londonderry where he met members of the business community to discuss Brexit and the City Deal process.

He said restoring the Stormont Assembly was the preferred option over direct rule.

Mr Lidington said: "Direct rule is not something we want to see - I think the problem with relying on direct rule now is that we are in a situation in which no member of parliament from the nationalist side of the divide in Northern Ireland is present in Westminster to express the views of constituents and of that tradition.

"I think that is unfortunate but it is a reality and that is why, by far, the best way forward is the establishment of the Stormont institutions.

"I think the message from the Cabinet to political leaders in Northern Ireland is that politicians need to take responsibility.

"There are really important decisions that face Northern Ireland which under the terms of the devolution settlement lie with the Assembly and the Executive.

"I think there is a very strong body of opinion in both traditions that want their political leaders to get back to the table, to re-establish the devolved institutions and to get on with delivering policies in Northern Ireland that will help job creation and economic growth.

"I think Karen Bradley will want to take stock early when Parliament comes back about what the right steps are to get an accountable political process going again in Northern Ireland.

"We mustn't forget that the two big parties came within touching distance of an agreement to restore power-sharing back in January, so that gives us some cause for hope."

Mr Lidington, who later visited PSNI headquarters in Belfast, downplayed the idea of the UK leaving the European Union with no deal, saying he believed an agreement will be reached before next March.

He said: "We have got agreement on 80% of the withdrawal text, what we have to do is crack the remaining 20% and get the text of the political declaration of a future partnership, which will need to have sufficient detail for Parliamentarians both in Westminster and Strasbourg to agree.

"As far as we are concerned as a government we want this sorted as rapidly as possible.

"The time is tight but sometimes you need the deadline to focus but I do think a deal will be done."

He insisted remarks made by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab suggesting businesses here trading across the border should contact Dublin for advice if London fails to broker a deal was because the UK Government could not speak for its counterpart in Ireland.

He continued: "What we are saying is that in the unwanted circumstance that we ended up with no deal, and I really stress this is not the Government's objective, then we would do everything within our jurisdiction to ensure that the free movement of goods and agrifoods takes place.

"What we can't do is speak for the Government in Ireland and what they do in their jurisdiction.

"I don't think there is any difference in the objectives of London and Dublin on this.

"Our joint objective is to have a UK/EU agreement which ensures that businesses on both sides of the border can continue to operate normally in the way we do now. We are saying that, insofar as it lies within our powers, we will take steps to ensure trade flows freely - what we can't do is speak for the Government in Ireland about what they would do in the event of a no deal."

Brian McGrath, vice president of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and chief executive of Foyle Port, said: "The engagement gave us the chance to impress upon the Minister the uniqueness of the area and the importance of the City Deal for the region in creating prosperity for the next 20 years.

"The City Deal offers a positive and sustained opportunity for economic and social development and we look forward to the Minister relaying those messages back to his cabinet colleagues before the next Budget."

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin met Mr Lidington during his visit to the police headquarters.

He later tweeted: "Thanks to Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington for visiting @PoliceServiceNI Headquarters to discuss policing in Northern Ireland and Brexit. Grateful he took the time to visit both our PSNI and RUC Gardens of Remembrance."

Belfast Telegraph