15:41

One of the reasons why the national parties at Westminster regard the Democratic Unionist kingmakers in parliament as toxic is their consistent opposition to gay marriage equality in Northern Ireland.

The DUP has constantly vetoed legislation in the Stormont Assembly that would legalise LGBT marriages in the region. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK were gay marriage is still not legal.

Regardless of what happens at the talks in Stormont, which are running towards a deadline tomorrow morning, gay marriage campaigners are planning a huge rally in Belfast this Saturday.

Ahead of the demonstration by the Love Equality coalition a range of locally born stars from film and popular music have issued statements in favour of gay marriage in Northern Ireland. They include Holywood actor Liam Neeson who was born in the DUP heartland of Ballymena, and Bronagh Waugh, best known for her role alongside Jamie Dornan in the TV series, The Fall.