Stormont leaders concerned by Labour ‘distraction’ amid budget talks request

First Minister Michelle O’Neill speaks to the media at the Balmoral agricultural show at Balmoral Park, Sprucefield (David Young/PA) - (PA Wire)

Northern Ireland’s leaders have expressed concern that the Prime Minister has yet to respond to a request for talks on Stormont’s under-pressure budgetary situation.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly called for the meeting with Sir Keir Starmer a month ago amid claims the powersharing Executive’s budget was at “breaking point”.