one, sinn fein, historic result 0ne, sinn fein, historic result coming first.y. many unanswered questions to come. this has been a very important day in the 101 year history of northern ireland. joining me now is mark devenport, former bbc northern ireland political editor. you have reported on some of the huge events in northern ireland, including the ira ceasefire and at the good friday agreement, so good to have you with us to put this into context for us to stop let's look back at the ira ceasefire. sinn fein used to be described as the political wing of the ira in some quarters. there's been a huge journey for them since those days of the troubles. journey for them since those days of the troubles-— the troubles. when i think back to the 1980s when _ the troubles. when i think back to the 1980s when | _ the troubles. when i think back to the 1980s when | first _ the troubles. when i think back to the 1980s when i first came - the troubles. when i think back to the 1980s when i first came out. the troubles. when i think back to l the 1980s when i first came

yes, we already know that sinn fein is going to be the largest| sinn fein is going to be the largestat is a significant achievement, the first time that a nationalist party, party that once a united ireland will be the largest party and entitled to take the first minister role. the counting is still going on, it is a long and complex process. it will be some time yet before we note the full final results and the allocation of seats in the assembly, but there are already major questions being raised. will the unionists go back into power sharing with sinn fein? at the signs are not because they already collapsed at the devolved assembly here, the devolved executive, a vet their objection to the northern ireland protocol, the way the trade rules and that bordered on the irish sea were hitting the economy here. without that the unionists said they would not have been going in to power sharing, even harder to see them doing that now is the second party and only entitled to take up a deputy first minister along with a sinn fein first minister. we have seen three important moves i think in

the dup or sinn fein? t poses the biggest questions for? the dup or sinn fein?_ dup or sinn fein?p or sinn fein? i think it poses a question from most _ dup or sinn fein? i think it poses a question from most of— dup or sinn fein? i think it poses a question from most of the - dup or sinn fein? i think it poses a question from most of the largest i question from most of the largest parties. you have the big blocks in northern ireland, unionist bloc led by the dup and the nationalist bloc in the ascendancy and a centrist bloc now led by alliance. alliance want people to move away from the constitutional question but although the selection wasn't defined by a border poll it was still part of the election argument. sinn fein will hope that then being the largest party will reignite the constitutional question, they want a date set for a border poll at some point in the next year so the constitutional question is hardly going to disappear notwithstanding the rise of alliance which doesn't one northern ireland politics defined by such questions. northern ireland certainly _ defined by

in the 1990 sinn fein -la ed a community. in the 1990 sinn fein played a key _ community.he 1990 sinn fein played a key role in bringing - community. in the 1990 sinn fein| played a key role in bringing about the good friday agreement. which largely ended the violence. in the years after, their support at the ballot box groove. martin mcguinness, a former commander in the ira, became deputy first minister, sharing power with the dup. forthose minister, sharing power with the dup. for those who remember the past, sinn fein still deeply divided opinion. but in the party today, there are farfewer opinion. but in the party today, there are far fewer elected representatives who were involved in the armed conflict, and their electoral success is a new milestone in what has been a remarkable politicaljourney. if we look back to the good friday agreement, there would have been expressing servers and people who would have had links to that republican wing of sinn fein, the ira, and what we see now is a very young and progressive party. it is a very young and progressive .a . , ., i

sinn fein back then, the modern incarnation, everything has gone full circle and sinn fein is top ofic, so extraordinary about what has happened. it doesn't mean that there isn't still a unionist plurality. if you add together the dup and the uup and tuv, there is still a plurality, they are out in front if you put them all together but it doesn't change the fact it's pretty extraordinary sinn fein adding just 1% of the vote are coming top of the polls. let's look a little more into more detail about some of sinn fein�*s performance in this election. let's take mid ulster here which is michelle o'neill�*s constituency. dominated by nationalism, dominated by sinn fein. 53% let's look at what has happened there. as you can see, this is the story of this election, it's not sinn fein has advanced enormously, they've taken a little from the sdlp but it's the fact that the unionist parties have been fragmented and gone to the dup, some gun to the alliance and the other big winner of this election. let's look again just to show you the pattern. let's have a look at this. a bit more conteste

sinn fein... if they come south of the body sinn fein. ..he odj, , ., the body you can see the momentum buildin: for the body you can see the momentum building for such _ the body you can see the momentum building for such a _ the body you can see the momentum building for such a referendum - the body you can see the momentum building for such a referendum on - building for such a referendum on unity at some point in the not—too—distant unity at some point in the not—too—dista nt future. unity at some point in the not-too-distant future. because it was the lead _ not-too-distant future. because it was the lead at _ not-too-distant future. because it was the lead at the _ not-too-distant future. because it was the lead at the dup _ not-too-distant future. because it was the lead at the dup sir - not-too-distant future. because it was the lead at the dup sirjeffrey donaldson who throughout this campaign was the one talking about a border poll on a united ireland in the context of saying to voters vote for those of i shall get a sinn fein first

but sinn fein�*s successes a blow for unionism.urrent leaders will be to form a new power—sharing executive at stormont and governing in the first minister role may yet be some way off. earlier we werejoined by niall carson, a photo journalist with the press association from dublin. we asked what this election means for ireland, north — and south — off the border. it is very interesting because it could be here in the southern parliaments because sinn fein are riding very high in the polls at the minute here, higher than the government, the two government parties. there is not an election due for another three years but definitely it is causing a bit of a star anyway, bit of a debate about the prospect of a referendum, you know. how did you view the voting that took place in northern ireland 7 is this unionist sending a very strong message as well or are people beginning to vote about other things? is this about voting for the right on the left, voting for various policies on this about the politics. yes, there is a bit of that. no

just your personal reflections on the journey from sinn fein to that point on what it will mean. i think it is hugely significant and we had i mean. i think it is hugely significant and we had a l mean. i think it is hugely - significant and we had a general election— significant and we had a general election the south and sinn fein will return— election the south and sinn fein will return as the most popular party— will return as the most popular party and — will return as the most popular party and had the most votes and we now have _ party and had the most votes and we now have the selection button is in similar— now have the selection button is in similar position north of the border so i similar position north of the border so i think— similar position north of the border so i think it — similar position north of the border so i think it is clear our message north— so i think it is clear our message north and — so i think it is clear our message north and south we are serious about implementing real change on this island _ implementing real change on this island i_ implementi

but sinn fein�*s success is a bitter blow for unionism.nt leaders will be to form a new power—sharing executive at stormont, and governing in the first minister role may yet be some way off. while the result today marks a historic victory for sinn fein, it will bring new challenges for power—sharing at stormont and next week the parties will meet back here and they will be required to nominate a first and deputy first minister and the dup have said they already won't do that because of its opposition to the brexit arrangements. even though those roles are equal, they are joint, and the dup is even less likely to want to go back into government serving as a deputy alongside a sinn fein first minister. negotiations with the eu are continuing to try to solve those brexit problems with the irish sea border and while that is continuing the dup position is unlikely to change. so if in six months there isn't a new agreement between the parties here, we could between the parties here, we could be heading in theory for a fresh set of elections. emm

well, sinn fein and the dup if they do put l of the centre ground? well, sinn. that executive, probably with two ministries. that is quite interesting. that is good clout for them, they will be in there and part of every significant decision taken by the executive, as they have been in smaller numbers in they have been in smaller numbers in the past. what the alliance party should do is simply say, look, the crisis in northern ireland there is sectarianism. where in europe would you put up with a government by a protestant party in the catholic party? where in the world, well we know some places in the world, but there are not many where the parties in government can be defined as virtually totally catholic or totally protestant. not meaning that people here with their theologies or anything but practically 95/90 9% of sinn fein voters have been baptised catholic and educated in the catholic and educated in the catholic education system and the similar applies within unionism. that is abhorrent. that is not natural democratic politics. sinn fein, for all that it

but sinn fein�*s success is a bitter blow for unionism.or the party's current leaders will be to form a new power—sharing executive at stormont, and governing in the first minister role may yet be some way off. we yet be some way off. can talk more about this with annita we can talk more about this with annita mcveigh, who is in belfast. it's been a really long day for you. it's been a really long day for you. i think i saw your first tweet from their from about i think i saw your first tweet from theirfrom about nine i think i saw your first tweet from their from about nine hours ago. i think i saw your first tweet from theirfrom about nine hours ago. how much of a landmark day is this for northern ireland? it much of a landmark day is this for northern ireland?— much of a landmark day is this for northern ireland? it has been a long two da s northern ireland? it has been a long two days in — northern ireland? it has been a long two days in fact _ northern ireland? it has been a long two days in fact because _ northern ireland? it has bee

seismic sinn fein victory.llster, do you have any insights you can give as from these elections when you look at the numbers, joe twyman? when you look at the numbers, joe t man? ~ , ., when you look at the numbers, joe t man? ~ i” when you look at the numbers, joe t man? ~ ,, ., twyman? when you look at the numbers. _ twyman? when you look at the numbers. it's — twyman? when you look at the numbers, it's interesting - twyman? when you look at the numbers, it's interesting to - twyman? when you look at the - numbers, it's interesting to see how northern_ numbers, it's interesting to see how northern ireland has changed. we remember, lucy and i both remembera time when the leader, indeed any representatives of sinn fein were not even — representatives of sinn fein were not even allowed to speak on british broadcasters. so it's a turnaround in that_ broadcasters. so it's a turnaround in that respect but in terms of the numbers— in that respect but in terms of the numbers in— in that respect but in terms of the nu

but sinn fein�*s successes a blow for unionism.'s current leaders will be to form a new power—sharing executive at stormont and governing in the first minister role may yet be some way off. annita mcveigh has been in belfast as the results came in today, and gave us her reaction. couple of hours ago, we got to the point where no other patchy could overtake sinn fein. that is the nationalist patchy that want to see a united ireland and that means that they are the largest patchy in the northern ireland assembly for the first time and their leader in northern ireland, michelle o'neill, is entitled to be nominated to the position of first minister in the power—sharing assembly but because of the way the power—sharing structures are set up here to take account of traditions the democratic unionist party which is the second—largest party here at the end of these elections has to nominate to the position of deputy first minister so one post can't exist without the other. that is the whole point of power—sharing and it is unclear as to wh

talking about sinn fein, the -a finishes. talking about sinn fein, the party leader— finishes.n fein, the party leader mary lou - finishes. talking about sinn fein, i the party leader mary lou mcdonald said yesterday when asked about the timeframe for a referendum aboard apollo on the question of irish unity and she talked about a decade and said her personal view was it could be five years. sinn fein was �*sjohn o'dowd saying earlier today that northern ireland secretary brandon lewis should publish the criteria for a border poll. that is interesting, but they are being quite robust in the language and that given that during the campaign actually didn't really talk at a border poll, did they? the person talkin: border poll, did they? the person talking that _ border poll, did they? the person talking that a _ border poll, did they? the person talking that a body _ border poll, did they? the person talking that a body pulled - border poll, did they? the person talking that a body pulled duringl talking that a body pulled during the campaign wasjeffrey donaldson and in many case

but sinn fein�*s successes a blow for unionism. current leaders will be to form a new power—sharing executive at stormont and governing in the first minister role may yet be some way off. let's hear more from emma now on what these results could mean. it will be new challenges for power—sharing here at stormont. next week the parties will meet back here and they will be required to nominate a first and deputy first minister and the dp has said it won't do that because of opposition to the backset arrangement and because those rules are equal, they are joined, the because those rules are equal, they arejoined, the dp is even this likely to want to go back into government serving as a deputy alongside a sinn fein first minister. meanwhile, negotiations with the eu are continuing to try to solve those breaks had problems with the rsc border and by that is continuing the du people is my position is unlikely to change so if in six months there is not a new agreement between the parties here, well, we could be having for a first set of e

to see if they— loads of support to sinn fein to see if they can — loads of support to sinn feinc sinn fein walk out of the if they can get that position. 2.1c sinn fein walk out of the previous assembly, didn't they, back in 2017. so a lot of people would look at politics here and say there's quite a lot of dysfunction, and so many people, i'm sure you've heard this and all the politicians i've spoken to say they've heard on the doorsteps — people want politicians back at stormont making decisions on the cost of living, how to tackle that crisis, on education, health care, and so on. how do you break this logjam?— this logjam? that's a really difficult question. - this logjam? that's a really difficult question. we - this logjam? that's a reallyj difficult question. we could this logjam? that's a really i difficult question. we could go this logjam? that's a really - difficult question. we could go back into stormont on monday, we will have _ into stormont on monday, we will have a _ into stormont on monday, we will have a sinn— into stormont on monday, we will have a sinn fein

sinn fein doesn't have a roblem task ahead. sinn fein doesn't have a problem with — task ahead.nn fein doesn't have a problem with the protocol, albeit. problem with the protocol, albeit that you didn�*t support brexit in the first place but would you be prepared to work on some changes to that if that was what it took to bring the dup back into a power—sharing government? the bring the dup back into a power-sharing government? the dup need to come — power-sharing government? the dup need to come back _ power-sharing government? the dup need to come back into _ power-sharing government? the dup need to come back into the _ need to come back into the power—sharing government. the reality is the protocol is here to stay because that is the consequence of brexit, which we did campaign against because we warned that this would be the consequences of that. we acknowledge that there may be parts of the protocol and what we are calling on... the only way to resolve these issues is not walking out of institutions, it�*s getting back around the table again. it is negotiating and discussi

, making sinn fein in two the large party now in northern ireland.fast. put into context how big the odysseas. i think we have seen this coming now since we saw the first count, the first results coming in and it is a huge result for sinn fein. i think that they have had a stunning election, really, this time around. a lot of people going into the selection thought that sinn fein was going to lose some vote share, because it had hit such a high water mark in that 2017 assembly election, there were sympathy around the illness of martin mcguinness, a big green energy scandal at the time which meant nationalists rallied behind sinn fein at that point, but they have managed to hold all of the seats they held last time around and they are now the largest party as a result of that fracturing of the unionist vote.— result of that fracturing of the unionist vote. and the national vote, unionist vote. and the national vote. yes- _ unionist vote. and the national vote. yes- the _ unionist vote. and the national vote, yes. the national- unionist vote. and the n

of course sinn fein as i mentioned — concluded.cluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as a _ concluded. of course sinn fein as i mentioned once as a united - concluded. of course sinn fein as i | mentioned once as a united ireland and i spoke to party leader mary lou mcdonald yesterday and he talked about for a friend and potentially within ten years and told me she personally thought maybe five years. your paper is dublin base. what do you think the reaction of the irish government is going to beat what is happening here in northern ireland? the reaction of the irish government, the dublin government is that this is not something on the cards any time soon and we actually saw the sums sinn fein during the election campaign. sinn fein was stepping away from the question of any immediate border poll of referendum on irish unity and instead focusing on bread and butter issues, and getting the executive here back up and running. inevitably for that this victory will brin

sinn fein's victory also raises _ nationalists. sinn fein's victory also raises new— nationalists.ises new questions over| nationalists. sinn fein's victory - also raises new questions over what it says about the choices voters are making for northern ireland's future. but the party strongly believes in holding a border poll, a vote on whether northern ireland should remain part of the uk. there's only one person that come call a border poll and that's the secretary of state for northern ireland of the p is obliged to call a border poll if it appears to him there is a majority in favour of a united ireland within northern ireland. at the moment opinion polls suggest support for a united ireland is within the 30% to 40% range, so it's still got considerable distance to travel before we get to that point. to travel before we get to that oint. ,, , , , ., point. sinn fein is pushing for the governments _ point. sinn fein is pushing for the governments in _ point. sinn fein is pushing for the governments in belfast _ point. sinn fein is pushing for the governments in belfast and - poin

income that is former sinn fÉin prison. how it links to the victory today for sinn fÉin?by sands died. he died -- he gave his life literally to bring about the united ireland. today in 2022, discretion whether the settlement which has been reached on the good frida agreemt, whetherhat represts an adequate [indisceible] by republicans and the naonalist comnity generally. the settlement, which is being put in place and opeting come is that a fair enough return? that is a question which we can't answer yes or no as yt. a ry fluidituation i ireland, particularly northern ireland. it would be llish to alyze the ters of stac positions and ainst unification. amy: whave five seconds. >> wther we identify the settlement [indiscernible] defies logic. nobody knows. i don't know. nobody else knows how this will work out. amy: we will leave it there, eamonn mccann and mairÉad farrell. [captioning made possible by democracy now!]lo)?■o■oóñçñçñçñç q ♪ >>> hello. welcome back to nhk "newsline." i'm takao minori in new york. >>> a politician with a familiar name is set to become the next

to coalesce around sinn fein. can fein. i think in historicalterms, that was most important.- fein. i think in historicalterms, that was most important. can i ask ou that was most important. can i ask you whether. _ that was most important. can i ask you whether. in — that was most important. can i ask you whether, in your— that was most important. can i ask you whether, in your view, - that was most important. can i ask you whether, in your view, boris i you whether, in your view, boris johnson's position as leader and prime minister is more or less precarious tonight than it was last night? it precarious tonight than it was last ni . ht? , precarious tonight than it was last niuht? ,,.,,.,_ precarious tonight than it was last niuht? ,, , night? it is probably exactly as it was before. _ night? it is probably exactly as it was before, and _ night? it is probably exactly as it was before, and he _ night? it is probably exactly as it was before, and he will- night? it is probably exactly as it was before, and he wil

— unionists getting into power with sinn fein being _ unionists getting into power with sinn fein being the largest party. the election— sinn fein being the largest party. the election may— sinn fein being the largest party. the election may have _ sinn fein being the largest party. the election may have deliveredl sinn fein being the largest party. i the election may have delivered an historic result, but governing northern ireland is always a difficult balance. it looks like old disagreements will prevent much progress for now. danjohnson, bbc news, belfast. we can speak to dan who is at stormont for us now. some very difficult issues to be resolved. how long have they got to do it? if there is no agreement in the next six months we could potentially be looking at another election. it is the northern ireland protocol that's been the main sticking point and there is a huge question about whether the uk government can get the sort of changes to that that would be acceptable to the european union, but would also address the concerns of the democratic unionists so that power—sharing

sinn fein, a fuel and nhs waiting lists. sinn fein. a lot _ fuel and nhs waiting lists.iting lists. sinn fein, a lot of the _ fuel and nhs waiting lists. sinn fein, a lot of the headlines around the seat tally from this election around that discussion of a possible border poll, a poll or a referendum on the question of a united ireland. realistically in the days and weeks ahead, do you think we will hear much more about that or is the focus going to be on getting politicians back here is to mark the focus will be on the immediate return to government, i think people know we are divided in northern ireland into different groups of irish republicans, british unionist and others. ,., republicans, british unionist and others. ., , , others. the border poll will happen but it will not — others. the border poll will happen but it will not happen _ others. the border poll will happen but it will not happen in _ others. the border poll will happen but it will not happen in the - but it will not happen in the immediate term.— but it will not happen in the immediate term. ~' ., .,

. this michelle 0'neill from sinn fein. sis always, michelle 0'neill from sinn fein. is always, the and beyond. everybody is knackered by this stage, well done to all of the staff. applause i want to begin my remarks today by thanking the electorate for their overwhelming support throughout the entirety of the election campaign. and again at the election campaign. and again at the ballot box where people have spoken very clearly to all of the parties. it is always a real honour and a humble experience for me and for my peers linda and emma, to stand in an election and go before the electorate with what we had, which was a very positive vision about the future and real change. i want to say a huge word of thanks to all of our election teams, because not all of these activists on the ground, knocking doors, putting up posters and doing the work, we could not be where we are today. thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your work. i want to congratulate everyone who has been elected to the assembly from across all parties and of all constituencies. i really look forward to wo

paul's suggestion, sinn fein will emer-e it does look as paul's suggestion, sinn fein will emer-e asl's suggestion, sinn fein will emer-e as the it does look as paul's suggestion, sinn fein will emer-e as the bin est sinn fein will emerge as the biggest party in northern ireland for the first time. as i say, still quite a lot of count to go, but the leader of sinn fein is calling this the election of a generation. i will be talking to her in a few minutes. many thanks. rita check her body keeping track of the latest details there. , still awake, still alert, we will be is shedding light on that key political point for us. the ones that are left, and we will be joined by seasoned political commentators to discuss the results on the party leaders. —— reeta chakrabarti. i will introduce them correctly in a moment. join us for the voters verdict in election day on the bbc. yes, indeed, warm welcome back to the bbc�*s election studio here at new broadcasting house in london. we've been on air virtually since 11:16pm last night? overnight, lots of those english results coming in. suggestin

sinn fein becomes the largest party in the northern ireland assembly for the first time. we will work with those who serve and all other political perspectives. we will work together. we will show respect and we expect to be shown respect. president zelensky says diplomatic efforts are continuing to try to rescue wounded soldiers from the besieged steelworks in mariupol. more questions for the uk opposition leader sir keir starmer over whether he broke lockdown rules. a leaked memo suggests a meal he attended was planned and a former security chief known for his loyalty to beijing is confirmed as hong kong's new chief executive. hello and welcome to bbc news. sinn fein has says it's a new era in northern ireland after the nationalist party secured an historic victory in the elections for the stormont assembly. for the first time, sinn fein claimed the most seats and pushed the democratic unionist party into second place. the us and uk governments say both parties now need to co—operate under power—sharing rules. our ireland correspondent, chris page, has this report — whi

sinn fein and the dop on 19,1 i'm speaking to you. sinn fein and the dop on 19, i believe.evelopments as i am talking to you. those numbers changing all the time. some of thejeers those numbers changing all the time. some of the jeers recently have been for the alliance party. reynolds was elected in east belfast and patrick brown in southdown. he didn't get in last time, he has this time. as me is —— with me is peter mcreynolds. you must be happy so far, as alliance. ~ you must be happy so far, as alliance-— you must be happy so far, as alliance. ~ , ., ., alliance. where can you go next? i don't know _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we _ alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we can - alliance. where can you go next? i don't know where we can stop. l alliance. where can you go next? | i don't know where we can stop. it has been a roller—coaster day with some of the best results we've ever had at all. i'm delighted to be elected alongside naomi long. the only way is up for us. a comment

sinn fein currently on 23.26, which we are expecting them to do, it means a dup will not be able to catch up. dup down two, but there you go. the alliance party are the big winners of this election, up from seven from a fifth place to third. it does pose an interesting change to northern irish politics, as we have been hearing all afternoon. as anybody who knows anything about northern ireland knows, the politics and history of northern ireland has been bifurcated, split down the middle between nationalists and unionists. we can still see the blocks are still very strong. unionists are still very strong. unionists are still in the plurality. what we never had before was a significant nonsectarian block but that is what we have for the first time. it introduces yet another unstable element into northern irish politics. something new at a time when there are many questions to be resolved about northern irish politics. what happens to the executive? will sinn fein be able to dominate with a first minister? the dup

sinn fein in the 1980s and 90s was getting 10%. saying we're fed up with s, fed up with the concessions to nationalism, are we or are we not part the uk? if we are, and elementary things like internal trade within the nation has to be guaranteed.— to be guaranteed. thank you very much for your— to be guaranteed. thank you very much for your time _ to be guaranteed. thank you very much for your time today. - to be guaranteed. thank you very much for your time today. as - to be guaranteed. thank you veryj much for your time today. as ben outlined, there are thorny issues to tackle and i guess the westminster government and the eu might be looking at this and thinking what else can they come up with to solve the protocol issue? because in trying to solve one issue, maybe they create issues for another party including sinn fein which opposed brexit and which is happy to work with the protocol. there are lots of competing interests they have to bearin competing interests they have to bear in mind in trying to find an accommodation, some

sinn fein are actually putting out a positive message that young people want to hear.losions and everything so i don't really know that kind of lifestyle, for me it's always been the spirit of cooperation and working together. knock knock. the party's image in some people's eyes has certainly come a long way. their messaging reflects the price of gas to heat the house or the price of diesel. and in this election sinn fein has hardly mentioned a border poll, a referendum on whether northern ireland should leave the uk. how important is that goal of a united ireland? i don't think it's any secret that sinn fein are in favour of a united ireland, that's always part of the goal but in the here and now people need help in their day—to—day lives. the democratic unionist party has said a vote for them is the best way to safeguard the union, and that only they can stop sinn fein winning, but because the dup walked out of the stormont executive in a protest over the brexit arrangements, no—one will be first minister here unless they return, no matter how decisive a result may b

governments urge political parties in northern ireland to re—establish a devolved administration, after sinn feinecame the largest party in the assembly. that's a first for a nationalist party. the issue of the post—brexit protocol, though, could complicate the way forward. if the eu do not show flexibility, we have always said we will take the action as the uk government to ensure that northern ireland's place in part of the internal market and protecting the good friday agreement is absolutely there. deputy prime minister, dominic raab accuses sir keir starmer of hypocrisy, as the opposition leader faces further questions about potential lockdown breaches. more than 60 people are thought to have been killed after a russian bomb hit a school in eastern ukraine. residents had been sheltering in the building's basement. meanwhile, the us first lady, jill biden has made a surprise trip to ukraine. she s visited a temporary shelter in a school and met with the presidents wife olena zelensky. stars are gathering on the red carpet for the bafta television awards in london. the channel 4 drama it's a s

smiles, flashes and cheers were the sure—fire signs of sinn fein success.ty retained its 27 seats. that was enough to top the table. the sinn fein vice president, michelle o'neill, is in line to become the first irish nationalist to be northern ireland's first minister. my commitment is to work through partnership, not division. st we will work with those who serve all other political perspectives. we will work together. we will show respect, and we expect to be shown respect. another major indication of change was the advance of the party which is neither unionist nor nationalist. alliance has more than doubled its number of seats, moving from fifth place to third in the assembly. but the democratic unionists have lost their position as the leading party, which they've had for almost 20 years. the dup lost significant votes to a more hardline unionist group. a stronger unionism is a stronger partner for others in government. and we cannot continue with the divisions that are there. and the unionist voters do not want those divisions. and therefore, i want

well, look, i think dup and unionism _ by sinn fein. by sinn fein. well, look, i think. dup and unionism more generally. with seen the tv and also uup raising these issues. that strong view needs to be made clear directly to the eu. obviously it is a uk—eu negotiation. this is no longer about the drg in westminster or the tory party in westminster. this is about what are the issues that unionism has with the protocol and how can the eu flexibly address those within the eu flexibly address those within the broad parameters that there is an international agreement but we need to make it work so that both communities plus the unaligned alliance can get back into power. john o'dowd of sinn fein has been saying this morning that brandon lewis should now publish the criteria for a border poll. i spoke to mary lou mcdonald the leader of sinn fein yesterday and iso about what her framework was timewise for a broader pull on the question of a united ireland and she said within a decade and she personally fought within five years so what you thin

sinn fein are actually putting out a positive message that young people want to hear.sions and everything so i don't really know that kind of lifestyle, for me it's always been the spirit of cooperation and working together. knock knock. the party's image in some people's eyes has certainly come a long way. their messaging reflects the price of gas to heat the house or the price of diesel. and in this election sinn fein has hardly mentioned a border poll, a referendum on whether northern ireland should leave the uk. how important is that goal of a united ireland? i don't think it's any secret that sinn fein are in favour of a united ireland, that's always part of the goal but in the here and now people need help in their day—to—day lives. the democratic unionist party has said a vote for them is the best way to safeguard the union, that only they can stop sinn fein winning, but because the dup walked out of the stormont executive in a protest over the brexit arrangements, no—one will be first minister here unless they return, no matter how decisive a result may be deli

sinn fein accuses boris johnson market. sinn fein accuses boris johnson as _ market.inn fein accuses boris johnson as west _ market. sinn fein accuses boris johnson as west minister- market. sinn fein accuses boris johnson as west minister plans| market. sinn fein accuses boris l johnson as west minister plans to johnson as west minister plans to override the brexit trade deal. it seems was absolutely extraordinary that the _ seems was absolutely extraordinary that the british government would propose _ that the british government would propose to legislate to break the law. propose to legislate to break the law ft _ propose to legislate to break the law. �* ., , propose to legislate to break the law. �* . , , ., , ., law. a man is been found guilty of murderin: law. a man is been found guilty of murdering an _ law. a man is been found guilty of murdering an off-duty _ law. a man is been found guilty of murdering an off-duty police - murdering an off—duty police community support officerjulia james and ken. callum wheeler had already admitted responsibility for the de

kelly, gerry, sinn fein, 8300...rty fought its campaign on the challenges facing working—class families. we have got very good results. we are very happy with them. we went to the people and as we have said before, this six—week campaign was on the issues. it's cost of living, it's health, it's all of that. but even if sinn fein win the most seats, they must share power at the top with the dup, who recently walked out of that arrangement. what if the dup won't go into government with you? this is a democratic election, so on the other side of it, we're saying very clearly that it needs everybody, including the dup. so the dup have the answer why they would be against that. even after all the votes are counted here, there is little chance of a properly functioning government. the dup has said it will block full power sharing unless there are changes to the brexit arrangements, that new trade border down the irish sea. i think you will see in the majority of our seats we will retain, that people want us to be in a gove

kelly, gerry, sinn fein, 8300...y fought its campaign on the challenges facing working—class families. we have got very good results. we are very happy with them. we went to the people and as we have said before, this six—week campaign was on the issues. it's cost of living, it's health, it's all of that. but even if sinn fein win the most seats, they must share power at the top with the dup, who recently walked out of that arrangement. what if the dup won't go into government with you? this is a democratic election, so on the other side of it, we're saying very clearly that it needs everybody, including the dup. so the dup have the answer why they would be against that. even after all the votes are counted here, there is little chance of a properly functioning government. the dup has said it will block full power sharing unless there are changes to the brexit arrangements, that new trade border down the irish sea. i think you will see in the majority of our seats we will retain, that people want us to be in a govern

powered or sharing of northern ireland, sinn fein are in line. than 60 people are thought to be killed after a russian bomb hit a school in the east of ukraine. the us first lady has made a surprise trip to ukraine, visiting a shelter and a school. an act —— he'll take over from jody whitaker. no one bbc news, it's

mil issue for sinn fein and the nationalist community?all of the different negotiations that - nationalist community? all of the different negotiations that seem l nationalist community? all of the l different negotiations that seem to have been had, the issues that have been raised seem to be very administrative, whether there can be kind of very clear way that goods can be moved around from between the two irelands, and it alljust seems to be answer after answer to that and the blockages keep being put up ljy and the blockages keep being put up by the dup almost like a fig leaf to stop them getting back into government, to have this hard—line position because they think that will serve them well. in fact, it's working in the opposite way. if you want it to work, they certainly can get it to work. i think europe is going to be... get it to work. i think europe is going to bem— get it to work. i think europe is going to be... they say they have been let down _ going to be... they say they have been let down by _ going to be... they say th

they come back to sinn fein. all sorts of adjectives had been applied to this news today, their emergence as the biggest party in northern ireland. ~ . v as the biggest party in northern ireland. ~ . �*, ., ., ,,, as the biggest party in northern ireland. ~ . �*, ., ., i, , ., ireland. what's your analysis of that? it is _ ireland. what's your analysis of that? it is huge. _ ireland. what's your analysis of that? it is huge. sinn _ ireland. what's your analysis of that? it is huge. sinn fein - ireland. what's your analysis of that? it is huge. sinn fein in i ireland. what's your analysis of| that? it is huge. sinn fein in the 19805 that? it is huge. sinn fein in the 1980s where a political outlet for the eye at a's campaign to stop that you had the ira ceasefire is in the 19905 you had the ira ceasefire is in the 1990s and it sinn fein? political growth took off dramatically from that point. very few people envisage that point. very few people envisage that sinn fein would be the largest party here one day. there

or dup, and that— executive without sinn fein or dup, and that is— executive without sinn fein orsults _ and that is right regardless of the results today. that and that is right regardless of the results today.— and that is right regardless of the results today. that is the essence ofthe results today. that is the essence of the power-sharing _ results today. that is the essence - of the power-sharing arrangement set of the power—sharing arrangement set “p of the power—sharing arrangement set up in the belfast agreement, but unionists have held that position of first minister since then. if this was the first time sinn fein was in the position to be first minister, to come back to my initial question, how uncomfortable would that be for unionism, do you think? i don't think that _ unionism, do you think? i don't think that today's _ unionism, do you think? i don't think that today's results - unionism, do you think? i don't think that today's results or - think that today's results or anything i am will decelerate or jump— anything i am will decelerate or jump for— anything i am

it's really the fall of the dup that has let in sinn fein.y get to nominate our first minister, and the dup, a party which some may say has been set up to say no, gets to nominate the deputy first minister. they have said they will not do that until the northern ireland protocol is sorted out. the protocol has been a thorn in the side of the british government for some time now. if there were an easy resolution to it, they would have found it already. so lots of complexity, lots of difficulty, and i imagine lots of arguments and perhaps some negotiations.— arguments and perhaps some negotiations. let's build on this sto and negotiations. let's build on this story and bring _ negotiations. let's build on this story and bring in _ negotiations. let's build on this story and bring in the _ negotiations. let's build on this story and bring in the sunday i negotiations. let's build on this - story and bring in the sunday times. it also features the picture of sinn fein taking that selfie and the headline. is that the right way to see it, lucy? it’

sinn fein. ., ., ~ ., ask what they will do in response to sinn fein. ., ., , , sinn fein.e counting is done _ with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done and - with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done and the - with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done and the 90 | when the counting is done and the 90 seats are built? we talk about a power—sharing government but will that actually happened? that power-sharing government but will that actually happened?— power-sharing government but will that actually happened? that is the ruestion. that actually happened? that is the question- the _ that actually happened? that is the question. the first _ that actually happened? that is the question. the first thing _ that actually happened? that is the question. the first thing that - that actually happened? that is the question. the first thing that would happen— question. the first thing that would happen is— question. the first thing that would happen is in theory, if sinn fein is largest— happen is in theory, if sinn fein is

this is bbc news, the headlines at seven: doubts over power sharing in northern ireland — sinn fein aren line for the first minister's role at stormont, but the democratic unionists say they won't take part unless new brexit trading rules are scrapped. what we're hearing is the eu is already saying it will not show flexibility and that is absolutely why we as a uk government are very clear, we want to get a resolution on this with the eu but we have never taken anything off the table in terms of resolving this issue for the of northern ireland. —— for the people of northern ireland. labour hits back at fresh claims over keir starmer�*s lockdown meal with colleagues — saying he didn't break covid rules. more than sixty people are thought to have been killed after a russian bomb hit a school in eastern ukraine. meanwhile the us first ladyjill biden has made a surprise trip to the country. she's visited a temporary shelter in a school and met olena zelenska — the wife of the ukrainian president. stars have been gathering on the red carpet for the bafta television awards in london. the chan