Mary Lou McDonald says Boris Johnson's Irish interaction 'wholly negative'

The Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald was responding to the resignation of Mr. Johnson on Thursday.

Deputy McDonald said: "Boris Johnson's interaction with Ireland has been wholly negative.

"Under his leadership, the British government has consistently undermined the Good Friday Agreement and have threatened to breach international law on multiple occasions.

"They have foisted austerity on people. They brought us the disaster that is Brexit.

"And Boris Johnson's priority when it comes to the north has been to placate the DUP."

The Sinn Féin leader urged the incoming British Prime Minister to work to restore power-sharing in the north.

Shailesh Vara appointed Secretary of State for the north

"We are now over two months on from the Assembly elections. Michelle O’Neill is the First Minister in waiting. The Executive and the Assembly need to be re-established.

"Whoever now assumes the position of British Prime Minister needs to change tack, work to restore the north's political institutions, and they need acknowledge the primacy of international agreements and international law," she said.

Micheál Martin pays tribute to Boris Johnson but stresses need for GFA partnership