Mr Varadkar will develop his thoughts in a speech in Derry on Thursday to a meeting of the SDLP’s New Ireland Commission.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane described the meeting as ‘deeply concerning’.

Stormont’s health minister was the only declared candidate to replace Doug Beattie as UUP leader.

Robbie Butler has confirmed he will not be seeking the nomination to be party leader following the resignation of Doug Beattie.

Mr Beattie quit the leader’s job on Monday following a bitter row with party officers.

It follows the resignation of Doug Beattie earlier this week.

Senior political figures have paid tribute to the outgoing UUP leader.

The decorated military veteran cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ with senior party colleagues.

The party is expected to issue a statement on Monday.

Doug Beattie also hit out about personal abuse received from other unionists

Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as leader of the DUP.

The DUP introduced the applicability motion at Stormont

Sinn Féin described a motion brought by the DUP as a ‘sham fight’

Stormont’s former health minister has put his name forward to be the Ulster Unionist Party’s candidate in South Antrim.

Sinn Fein has welcomed the move by Dublin over the UK’s Legacy Act.

The Sinn Féin leader said the UK’s Legacy Act was a ‘flagrant breach of international human rights law’

UUP leader Doug Beattie was speaking as the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee called for first and deputy first ministers to be rebranded as joint.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said it is the latest incident which demonstrates Downing Street ‘doesn’t understand’ Northern Ireland