Bradley to tell US of plan for Stormont

NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley is on a week-long visit to the United States to promote her “plan” to restore Stormont.

Mrs Bradley will also emphasise the Government’s opposition to a hard border in Ireland following Brexit during a visit to Boston and Washington this week.

On Capitol Hill, the Secretary of State will update political figures from the White House, State Department and Congress.

She will also meet the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Friends of Ireland Caucus to brief them on Brexit negotiations and efforts to restore the Executive.

During a reception at the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington, Mrs Bradley will deliver a keynote speech promoting Northern Ireland to an audience of top politicians and business leaders.

Earlier this month, she ruled out fresh Assembly elections and said her focus was on re-establishing political dialogue in a bid to restore the Executive as soon as possible.

She also outlined plans for a potential independent facilitator who could “play a constructive role in the next round of talks”.

Mrs Bradley held discussions with the local parties last week and will meet the Irish government in the weeks ahead about political talks aimed at restoring devolution, which includes seeking their views on external facilitation.

Speaking ahead of her trip, the Secretary of State said she was visiting the US at a crucial time Karen Bradley will be in Boston and Washington as the Government aims to bring back Stormont and secure a good Brexit deal.

“The UK Government’s commitment to the Belfast Agreement and its successors remains steadfast and has been the bedrock of all that has achieved over the past 20 years.

“I look forward to meeting senior US politicians and policymakers to update them on my Stormont plan as well as setting out how the UK Government will ensure that Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances are protected and advanced in the months ahead.”

She added: “The people of Northern Ireland deserve locally elected, democratically accountable Ministers to take important decisions on a wide range of issues. I am doing everything that I can to deliver devolved government as soon as possible.”