Brexit news: Direct rule could be imposed on Northern Ireland for a no deal Brexit

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A return to direct rule would mean Northern Ireland being ruled directly by the UK Government. Northern Ireland hasn’t had its own government since January 2017 as a result of rows between the DUP and Sinn Fein. However direct rule from London would likely anger Irish nationalists, and could lead to a violent response.

It would effectively mean suspending the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended three decades of conflict in the province. According to The Daily Telegraph Ministers have been told without direct rule Northern Ireland would be left without a functioning Government during any no deal Brexit. This would prevent action being taken to deal with any disruption or negative impacts. There is dispute over whether legislation would need to pass Parliament for direct rule to be imposed. READ MORE: Boris Johnson branded ‘continuity Cameron’ as new PM unveils domestic

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Speaking to The Daily Telegraph Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the House of Commons, said: “That is not necessarily correct that legislation is needed to impose direct rule. “I had a meeting on that earlier and that is not necessarily correct but that is not a definitive answer. “This is speculation and I think it is unlikely to be necessary but I am not giving a guarantee that it is not necessary.” According to David Lidington, who was in charge of no deal Brexit planning under Theresa May, the Northern Irish civil service would only be allowed to act “in the most restricted way possible” unless direct rule enables it to take instruction from the UK Government. READ MORE: Boris receives heartwarming message from Brexit protestor

Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee was murdered earlier this year by dissident republicans