PETER Kyle has called on political parties in Northern Ireland to work together to form a new executive after Sinn Fein won the most seats in the region’s assembly.

The party, which has long supported holding a border poll on whether the province should unite with the Republic of Ireland, became the largest party in elections last week.

Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill is now entitled to become First Minister - should she take up the role, she would become the first nationalist politician to hold the position.

Mr Kyle, shadow Northern Ireland secretary and MP for Hove, congratulated Sinn Fein on their result.

He said: “It is healthy for Northern Ireland that parties from either community can nominate a First Minister and shows the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement working.”

The Northern Ireland executive, a power-sharing government between the largest unionist and nationalist party, collapsed in February after the DUP pulled out in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which governs customs and immigration issues caused by Brexit between the island of Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The Argus: DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been urged to work with Sinn Fein to restore the government in Northern IrelandDUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been urged to work with Sinn Fein to restore the government in Northern Ireland

It allows lorries to deliver goods without having paperwork and goods checked when crossing the border from the UK into Ireland, but it has proved controversial to some unionists who argue that it undermines the province’s place within the UK.

The DUP has threatened not to take part in government unless the protocol is abandoned.

However, Mr Kyle said that all parties want to see a government formed to tackle the issues being faced by people in Northern Ireland.

The Argus: Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill looks set to become the first ever nationalist First Minister in Northern IrelandSinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill looks set to become the first ever nationalist First Minister in Northern Ireland

He said: “Unionism will continue to have a strong voice within power-sharing and calls for progress on the remaining issues of the Protocol have been heard and should not prevent a return to the Executive.

“The government must now prioritise practical solutions through negotiation with the EU and not chase headlines with empty threats.

“All parties want to see an Executive up and running to help people with the cost-of-living crisis we are facing across the United Kingdom.”

Sinn Fein won 27 seats in the 90-seat assembly, with the DUP on 25 seats and the non-sectarian Alliance Party third with 17 seats.