Mark Devenport
@markdevenport
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Keeping an eye on Stormont & more. Ex BBC NI Political Editor, Ireland Correspondent & United Nations Correspondent DMs Open markddevenport on threads
Belfast
Joined February 2010
The story of the night in Northern Ireland has to be the defeat of Ian Paisley in North Antrim, a seat held by the Paisley family since 1970 1/.
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. @JimAllister has received positive news about the young cancer sufferer whose case reduced @moneillsf to tears. She has been told she will receive chemotherapy treatment next Monday.
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Goodbye Ken - a colleague who I spent so many many hours with at various postings - an astute journalist and a lovely man who kept us diverted with his treasure trove of stories- condolences to Liz & all his family
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When British & Irish ministers launched Stormont talks at start of May they said there was a narrow window to make progress. Now they say there’s a window in June. Assume in July it will be a sash window. .
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So from June 8th, provided the R number stays down, dogs in NI can get groomed but humans can’t.
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BBC News - Mark Devenport: Almost out of office message
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. @PeterGrantMP tells @eastantrimmp he has read Belfast Agreement & would rather take interpretation of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern "who helped to write it rather than somebody who fought tooth and nail to have it rejected" 2/2.
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"Rule Number One. No touching of the hair or face!".
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Answering questions in Stormont Assembly on Brexit related legislation @DUPleader says the EU needs to stop using NI to get their own way as "we are not the plaything of the EU".
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Sadly, John Hume's son Aidan will not be able to attend his father's funeral due to the Coronavirus quarantine regulations, as he lives and works in Boston.
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So the results of the indicative votes were "no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no". Is Westminster turning into Stormont?.
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Ballymurphy families decline meeting with Karen Bradley
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Prominent Belfast lawyer and frequent contributor to our airwaves seriously ill - hope Niall pulls through.
Niall Murphy hasCovid-19. He supported my family who know him simply as "uncle Murph" - he's a true gentleman as well as a tenacious and brilliant lawyer. He needs your support as he faces the toughest battle of his life. @Barry_TheDetail @alexgibneyfilm @KRWLaw #messagetoniall
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Many thanks to all who wished me well for future. After @SJAMcBride 's intervention I will hold series of indicative votes on my options.1. Actor.2. Monk.3. Chef in Brexit Themed Restaurant.4. Hoaxer.If no proposal gains a majority my backstop remains Political Editor.
Five years after Martina Purdy resigned as a BBC NI political correspondent to become a nun, her former boss, BBC NI's respected political editor @markdevenport, is leaving journalism after 18 years in the high profile role.
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DUP sources say the party has not dropped its opposition to the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal. PMs come & go they say but the trade & constitutional issues involved in the deal & the backstop live on.
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Last week I tweeted about regulations being more important than tariffs in no deal and officials worrying NI agri-food facing EU “blockade”. Some accused me of scaremongering. And this week.
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BBC News - Brexit: United Ireland only way to avoid 'negative economic impact'
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. @theresa_may says polling shows there would be higher support for a United Ireland and Scottish independence if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
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Hats off to Jon !.
I’ll go for confidence in Johnson 59% (211 votes) to 41% no confidence (147) and delete this tweet at 9.01pm when it’s way out.
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Inside Politics @bbcradioulster 6.05pm North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon says @theresa_may "doesn't have the option to bin the backstop" as "it's in the deal and it's there to protect the peace we have enjoyed for the past 20 years".
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The most recent NI related clip from the now NI Sec Brandon Lewis - telling Andrew Marr there won't be a border down the Irish Sea
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Donald Tusk says if UK offer on Brexit is unacceptable to Ireland it will be unacceptable to EU so key to UK’s future lies in Dublin.
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in his Brexit speech @jeremycorbyn says "no one should be willing to sacrifice the Good Friday Agreement, the basis for 20 years of relative peace, development and respect for diversity in Northern Ireland".
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NI Health Minister making it clear he is not in the mood to switch to the @BorisJohnson "stay alert" line.
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It’s disgraceful for people with relevant expertise to be bullied out of the public discourse. Now more than ever we need people who know what they are talking about.
Lindsay has been fantastic and so generous with her time to the media. We need to listen to her and the other experts. dont be cruel to those sharing their expertise. The media need people like her. Thanks.
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Judging purely on the basis of their latest videos, I think I’d rather get tickets to an @ArleneFosterUK gig than a @vanmorrison concert.
Is @ArleneFosterUK trolling Van Morrison with this live performance 😉?.
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A great colleague and wonderful friend who dealt with his long illness with characteristic courage and humour. Will miss you Stephen.
Sad to say that former BBC NI political editor Stephen Grimason died last night. He was 67. He was also a former Director of Communications at Stormont with the NI Executive. Stephen will be deeply missed, but always loved, by family, friends and colleagues.
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. @naomi_long has called on unionists who posted a cartoon about SF & the Kingsmills killings to take image down, accusing them of using “an obscene atrocity to score political points”.
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My other half bought some glass candles from @Aldi_Ireland & when lit one shattered spraying shards into a room. After complaining she got a reply with standard safety advice but a spellcheck error which was too gonad to overlook
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Wise words from @jc_courtney a consultant at our local hospital. Thank you Julia in advance for the task you are taking on for all our sakes.
Please take the time to listen to Dr Julia Courtney, consultant colleague in the Ulster hospital. It is essential the public take the need to socially isolate seriously. We are 14 days behind Italy and 6 behind Spain. #protecttheNHS
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We now have the DUP who did their utmost to oppose the GFA saying the Johnson deal drives a coach & horses through the 1998 Agreement, and David Trimble who was the key unionist signatory saying " this is fully in accordance with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.
Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble backs Boris’s Brexit deal
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. @DUPleader says "experience in NI has shown that extending deadlines does nothing to encourage a deal. A no deal outcome can be avoided and it can be agreed long before the 29th March. It's time for Dublin and Brussels to be in a deal-making mode.”.
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. @Keir_Starmer pays tribute to John Hume as a "beacon of light" before starting his questions for @BorisJohnson.
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Pondering whether the unnamed EU diplomat who told @Telegraph they are “prepared for peace, but ready for war” was inspired by the sayings of the Roman writer Vegetius or the notorious UVF mural at Mount Vernon in North Belfast…?.
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So at the end of @BBCTalkback I wished good luck to whoever is the poor soul presenting the programme tomorrow. Now I have re-read the text I got from the boss & realise it's me again. Doh!.
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Ex Conservative Chairman Lord Patten says government has not yet produced "even a half baked solution" to the problems posed by the NI border after Brexit. In speech to Open Britain group, Lord Patten argued there is no virtual customs arrangement anywhere in the world.
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Anti @ArleneFosterUK putsch now appears exposed as purely about personality not policy. @niexecutive limps on but @edwinpootsmla seems to have broken first rule of politics, which is being able to count.
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Lady Sylvia Hermon says Johnson proposals prove PM does not understand NI & reminds him DUP do not represent majority - she says people in NI want to continue to enjoy peace & stability delivered by Belfast Agreement.
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SDLP seek Assembly recall. SDLP Leader @columeastwood says his MLAs will be seeking to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly, to urgently address the crisis over exam grading.
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Congratulations Enda! Good to see @BBCnireland continuing tradition of appointing vertically challenged @LFC supporters to the Pol Ed position.
Enda McClafferty has been appointed BBC Northern Ireland’s Political Editor. @endamcclafferty has been covering politics in Northern Ireland for 20 years and has worked as a political correspondent since 2016.
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. @campaignforleo says if rights regarding language or same sex marriage apply elsewhere in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland he doesn't see why they should not apply in NI.
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Very sad to hear this news - Pat Hume was a wonderfully patient gracious woman who put up with us journalists calling at all kinds of anti social times, and good company whether you were in Derry or D.C.
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Excited Chinese tourists pose for selfies with @GerryAdamsSF one asks me "who is he, the Mayor?"
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Asked by @StephenNolan whether he is confident NI will get the extra ventilators it needs to meet the Covid19 peak @RobinSwannMoH replies "Stephen, I am praying to God, we do".
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Breaking: Report of the independent public inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme, will be published on Friday, 13th March 2020 when the Chairman, Sir Patrick Coghlin, will make a statement.
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Less than 4 months since he resigned UUP leadership on grounds he wanted to spend more time with his family @RobinSwannUUP takes on what is widely regarded as one of the most non stop demanding ministerial jobs.
. @RobinSwannUUP is about to become a very busy man. He is NI’s new Health Minister. #rollyoursleevesup.
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1912: Ulster Covenant.2021: Ulster e-petition.
Petition: Trigger Article 16. We want unfettered GB-NI Trade.
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. @GRobinsonDUP just accused BBC of “fake news, negative news” re our budget coverage. I would have covered this earlier but feed of DUP conference isn’t working in press room which is a bit of an obstacle to reporting any news.
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Walked late into NI Conservative reception & was bemused to be cheered to rafters - turned out MC had announced PM would be next thru door.
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Joint statement from Sinn Fein SDLP Alliance & Greens says it's "entirely unacceptable" for UK to seek to abandon safeguards built into the NI Brexit protocol & this would amount to a "serious betrayal of an existing international treaty".
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MLAs pass Northern Ireland assembly motion withholding consent for UK's EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill without a formal division.
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Incredible U turn by @moneillsf over Coronavirus- last night’s show of unity shattered - SF sources say they are reacting to pressure from parents & wider community who see what’s happening with churches, GAA & schools south of the border and are voting with their feet.
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. @DUPleader says there won't be "free standing Irish Language Act" nor compulsory Irish language lessons in schools, no-one will be forced to learn Irish, there will not be quotas in the civil service and there will not be bilingual directional signs on NI roads.
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Thanks to the mighty Saintfield!.
Everyone at the club would like to wish our very own celebrity supporter, Mark Devenport, all the best in the next chapter of his career. Having joined the BBC as a trainee reporter in 1986 Mark has reported on many significant events. . #OneOfOurOwn
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Just got this in post & worried I had inadvertently signed up for a Christmas Day shift. Turned out to be a booklet full of good wishes from all my @bbcnewsline colleagues - very touched thanks all
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Been waiting for feedback like this my whole career, and when it happens I'm Mark sitting in a newsroom in London. .
Mark in Belfast spoke more sense than any of the candidates.
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One perk of being an "Inside Ulster" reporter in the 80s was covering bands visiting Belfast. My crew got a prime spot on the mixing desk in the King's Hall when U2 opened their set with "Where The Streets Have No Names". Fantastic
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. @NigelDoddsDUP says "the fundamental flaws of the draft Withdrawal Agreement treaty itself remain unchanged. Many of the proposals on the backstop serve as an attempt through domestic law to mitigate a bad deal whereas the focus should be on getting a better deal.".
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RIP @Seamus_Close, former Alliance Deputy Leader, regular commentator on @bbcradioulster Inside Politics. Gifted with sometimes acerbic wit & shrewd political wisdom - it was a privilege to have worked alongside him
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Thanks all for your kind words on my mic drop moment! And I thought broadcasting from home during the lockdown was as fraught as it gets. .
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I’m told a statement by Karen Bradley later today on NI will be major/significant.
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Just spotted Education Minister @peterweirmla heading away from Assembly building in direction of Stormont Castle - looks like choreography in place for imminent announcement regarding timing of NI school closures.
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. @moneillsf @ClareBaileyGPNI @naomi_long & @columeastwood have written to @BorisJohnson objecting to his refusal to allow the EU to open a Belfast office, which they describe as an act of bad faith.
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Rick was a great communicator who enriched our airwaves with his wit & wisdom. Privileged to have worked alongside him.
Devastating news that my dear friend and long term partner in commentators corner on @bbctheview Prof Rick Wilford has passed away. A legendary figure in NI academic and political circles. His wisdom, insights and laughter will be much missed. #RIP
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Lots of talk about not jeopardising the Good Friday Agreement but whether u agree with it or not last night’s draft deal looks like the most significant attempt to re-write Stormont’s rules since 2006 St Andrews Agreement.
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Six months ago I chaired a discussion between @BeattieDoug & Jeffrey Donaldson at @QUBelfast on the future of unionism. If we’d had a crystal ball about what the next 6 months would hold…. #futurologyisaninexactscience.
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Very sad to hear this news. Kofi Annan was UNSG when I worked as UN Correspondent & I found him to be fair, courteous & decent in the way he dealt with people, whether they were world leaders or members of the public
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On Syrian air strikes, Lady Sylvia Hermon told PM last night DUP doesn't speak for everyone in NI & many people are "bitterly disappointed" Parliament wasn't recalled to seek MPs' approval 1/2.
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Former PM @theresa_may asks how the govt will reassure future international partners that the UK can be trusted to abide by the agreements it signs ?.
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Final First Preference Votes #LE19 in Northern Ireland.DUP 24.1%.SF 23.2%.UUP 14.1%.SDLP 12%.APNI 11.5%.TUV 2.2%.GRN 2.1%.PBPA 1.4%.AONT 1.1%.PUP 0.8%.UKIP 0.4%.
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. @theresa_may continued "that is patently unfair - terrorists are not being being investigated - terrorists should be investigated and that is what the government wants to see.".But then what about this?.
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Think there's a tag team contest going on between DUP & Dublin. @DUPleader just took a crack at @simoncoveney as unhelpful & intransigent. Now @NigelDoddsDUP calls @LeoVaradkar incendiary & outrageous - blame game well underway.
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In joint statement on Brexit NI church leaders encourage public representatives & others who give leadership “to weigh their words carefully, to respect the integrity of those who conscientiously differ from them and to speak with grace”.
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EU Parliament's Brexit representative says "we will never let the Irish down".
I can’t follow anymore. After two years of negotiations, the Tory government wants to delay the vote. Just keep in mind that we will never let the Irish down. This delay will further aggravate the uncertainty for people & businesses. It’s time they make up their mind! #brexit.
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On Inside Politics Karen Bradley told me even if backstop kicks in GB will stick to same rules as NI. But @michaelgove tells @MarrShow he’s uncomfortable as it could lead to different rules for NI from GB. Go figure. .
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So after 204 days @JulianSmithUK loses NI Secretary job. But quite a track record for such a short tenure.
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Clergyman who witnessed IRA disarmament tells DUP & SF “we owe it to quietly grieving people of incredible courage to come together and do whatever it will take to restore OUR Assembly and our confidence in normal effective governance”.
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However underwhelming the developments at Stormont might have been, for me it remained “Terrific Tuesday” as I got my Covid AstraZeneca jab.
So is it Super Tuesday, Tepid Tuesday credit @BBCJayneMcC or Timid Tuesday courtesy of @JimAllister.
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After lifetime spent trying to explain NI issues to BBC viewers & listeners (quite a bit of it on network outlets) definitive proof of my abject failure. .
The majority of Brits (59%) say they don't understand the issues regarding the Irish border, following the government proposal of a new Brexit plan which aims to replace the Irish border “backstop”
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. @StephenFarryMLA from centrist @allianceparty points out both Johnson offer and EU proposal reported in Times effectively ignore growing number of people in NI community who designate as neither unionist nor nationalist, which contributed to election of @naomi_long as MEP.
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Two ex PMs reject U.K. government justification for breaking international law.
Tony Blair & Sir John Major: “The overt repudiation of the (Withdrawal) Treaty… puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk because it negates the predictability, political stability and legal clarity… that is at the core of the (Irish) Peace Process.
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Hi @OUHospitals please pass my thanks to all staff at EAU & cardiac ward who spent their Christmas Eve caring for my Mum - Happy Christmas!.
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. @moneillsf says report @theresa_may believes government might lose a border poll are “an admission that the threshold to hold such a vote has now been met”.
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Don’t give yourself cause to regret what you did in these vital days.#StayHomeSaveLives .#FightBack .#WashYourHands.
Now is the time to stay at home. Our respiratory team have a clear message- stay at home to save lives #stayathome #fightback #COVID19 #jointhefightback
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In response to the political stalemate Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley is due to cut MLA salaries by more than £7000 from November and a further £6000 three months after that.
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BBC News - Brexit: Lady Hermon claims no-deal would breach Good Friday Agreement
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Pressure seems to be growing on @DianeDoddsMLA over the membership of her new Economic Advisory Group with @sinnfeinireland @SDLPlive & @allianceparty objecting to absence of trade unions or representatives from community/voluntary sectors.
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49 MLAs from @sinnfeinireland @SDLPlive @allianceparty & @GreenPartyNI have written to @eucopresident confirming their support for the Brexit backstop.
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. @campaignforleo says majority in NI voted to remain, majority MLAs want to remain in Customs Union & Single Market & it's likely majority people living in NI will remain European citizens after Brexit.
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, @JBrokenshire says if deadlock continues government will have to consider carefully whether it can continue to justify paying MLAs.
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The high profile barrister Michael Mansfield is to head legal teams involved in potential court challenges to the U.K. Internal Market Bill in London & Belfast.
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Best of luck @noeltupearly.
Even with everything. You might like to know that it's the superb Noel Thompson's last day today. May have to change that handle now. @noeltupearly ? Enjoy your new life! We'll miss you. @BBCgmu
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Radical action from Irish Republic will pose an immediate question for @niexecutive - do they follow UK or Irish example in tackling the virus.
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Former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan tells @BBCgmu she now believes if intelligence available to authorities had been acted upon the 1998 Omagh bombing could have been prevented & repeats her support for a public inquiry.
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