Sinn Féin designates deputy first minister to avert Stormont crisis

Westminster-backed deal to legislate for Irish language protections saves Northern Ireland executive from collapse

Sinn Fein will nominate Michelle O'Neill as deputy first minister at Stormont after the party president, Mary Lou McDonald, said she received a commitment from the UK government to legislate for Irish language protections at Westminster.

McDonald earlier said she was going to meet the Northern Ireland secretary, Brandon Lewis, as her party and the DUP attempted to avert a fresh political crisis at Stormont.