There will be no second Stormont Assembly election this year all, Chris Heaton-Harris has decided. 

Last week, the deadline to form a new executive passed and Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State said it meant he was legally obliged to call an election. 

"I will be calling an election," he told journalists. 

However, Mr Heaton-Harris has since announced a U-turn. 

“I have had valuable conversations with people across Northern Ireland, including business and community representatives,” he said in a statement. 

“I have listened to their sincere concerns about the impact and cost of an election at this time.

“I can now confirm that no Assembly election will take place in December, or ahead of the festive season. 

“Current legislation requires me to name a date for an election to take place within 12 weeks of 28 October and next week, I will make a statement in Parliament to lay out my next steps.” 

He added that the “restoration of a strong devolved government” remained a priority. 

Main image: Chris Heaton Harris arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street. Picture by: Tejas Sandhu/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire