Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein, has made a joke about the safety of the Queen while standing on the steps of Downing Street.

Mr Adams said his party will not take its seats in Westminster or swear an oath to the Queen, adding: "No harm to her".

The comment sparked upset because of Sinn Fein's former links to the IRA, which was responsible for the death of the Queen's cousin and her husband's uncle Lord Mountbatten in 1979.

It came as the Government announced that the State Opening of Parliament will take place on Wednesday June 21.

The Queen's Speech, setting out the Government's programme, has been delayed from from Monday as Theresa May seeks support for her minority administration from the Democratic Unionist Party.

There have been suggestions that the announcement is intended to send a message to the DUP that the Government are prepared to form a minority Parliament without a deal if the talks break down.