The Prime Minister is expected to be in Northern Ireland today as efforts intensify to break the political deadlock in Stormont.

Boris Johnson will hold talks with party leaders and try to persuade the Democratic Unionists to enter a power-sharing government.

Sinn Fein is now the largest party, but its vice chair, Michelle O’Neill, cannot become a first minister without a federal deputy first minister.

The DUP prevented the formation of a new administration delegated to the Northern Ireland Protocol and the resulting maritime boundary.

Boris Johnson may have to choose between a government in Belfast or the treaty he has agreed to with the European Union.

Sky News political editor Beth Rigby understands that the goal is to work to restore democracy and “protect the peace” by “addressing the legitimate concerns that prevent the majority community (unionists) from sharing power with Sinn Fein”.

Despite the rattle of swords over unilateral legislation to bypass the protocol, Downing Street insiders were keen to stress that this remains “largely a last resort” and that the Prime Minister wants to “settle this calmly and rationally, without drama”.

The Prime Minister told the Belfast Telegraph: “Many things have changed since the Protocol was agreed.

“We have been told by the European Union that it is impossible to make changes to the text of the Protocol to actually solve these problems in the negotiations – because there is no mandate to do so.”

Committed to “keeping the door open for real dialogue”, he echoed the words of Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney and pointed to a potential “landing ground”.

“Our common goal should be to create the largest possible cross-community support for a revised protocol in 2024,” he added.

Boris Johnson said he hoped the EU would change its stance but warned that “if it does not, action will be necessary.

“The government has a responsibility to provide assurances that consumers, citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland are protected in the long term.”

“We will make a more detailed assessment and the next steps for Parliament in the coming days,” he added.

The government is preparing to publish legislation to bypass the protocol but Sky News understands that there are still concerns in the Cabinet about the legal situation.

Bill It can be challenged in Parliament or in the courts If it is deemed to have violated international law.

The inclusion of safeguards to avoid this would limit any action to the constraints of the full Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Sir Geoffrey Donaldson, Member of Parliament and Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said: “The Prime Minister’s visit to Northern Ireland is an acknowledgment that the Protocol is not working and is detrimental to Northern Ireland, and these problems must be addressed.

“We are waiting to hear what the prime minister has to say, but we are not going to judge words. It is decisive action to be taken,” he added.

“Until this action is taken, the consensus necessary for power-sharing in Northern Ireland does not exist.

“We respect the mandate that the other parties have, but they should equally acknowledge the clear vision expressed by the unionist electorate.”

Home Secretary Rachel MacLean has endorsed a suggestion by the Prime Minister, in his article in the Belfast Telegraph, that an increase in cost of living One reason was that the protocol should change.

Follow the daily podcast onapple podcast, google podcast, spotify, speaker

“The situation with the Northern Ireland Protocol is putting more costs and paperwork on companies,” she told Sky News’ Kay Burley.

“It affects the supply of different products and of course it has an indirect effect on the cost of living.”