A bid to give Northern Ireland special designated status within the EU after Brexit has been defeated in the European Parliament.

The measure was proposed in Strasbourg by a bloc of left-wing parliamentarians, which includes Sinn Féin.

It called for the Good Friday Agreement to be fully upheld in the withdrawal agreement, and for the freedom of movement of people, goods and services on the island of Ireland.

It also sought to ensure membership of the Customs Union, Single Market and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

However, while nationalists have advocated protecting all-Ireland trade, unionists have been concerned special status would drive a wedge between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The proposal was defeated by MEPs by 374 votes to 66.