Stormont ministers have again failed to agree fresh coronavirus restrictions for Northern Ireland, after a lengthy and at times acrimonious meeting last night.
It was the second night in a row the executive broke up without agreement. Ministers are expected to resume debate later today on alternative proposals tabled by DUP economy minister Diane Dodds that would see a partial reopening of the hospitality sector.
The current four-week circuit break lockdown ends at midnight tomorrow, at which point regulations that have forced the closure of much of the hospitality sector will fall away.
Ministers are facing mounting criticism for failing to tell businesses whether they will be able to reopen on Friday. There were angry exchanges at the