‘Complex identities’ of Northern Ireland being undermined, says ex-official

Ciaran Martin criticises post-Brexit attempts to redesign' UK based on old notion of English sovereignty

The United Kingdom's unity faces being destabilised by flag-waving unionism" from English nationalist politicians, one of the most senior officials to emerge from Northern Ireland's traditionally Catholic community has warned.

Ciaran Martin, who created the framework for Scotland's 2014 independence poll as the Cabinet Office's constitution director, said the complex identities" of Northern Ireland faced being undermined by post-Brexit attempts to redesign" the British state based on a narrow 17th-century notion of English sovereignty".