No shift on border poll policy - NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris

There has been no shift in UK government policy on the terms of any future united Ireland referendum, the Northern Ireland secretary has said.

Chris Heaton-Harris was asked about the issue at a Westminster committee.

It comes after his Northern Ireland Office colleague Steve Baker reportedly said a border poll should need the support of a 'super-majority'.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, such a referendum would be decided on a simple majority of more than 50%.

It was one of the issues Mr Heaton-Harris was asked about as part of a wide-ranging session at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

The secretary of state was also asked about efforts to restore devolution in Northern Ireland, budget pressures being felt by public services and the presence of masked men in the public gallery of a high-profile murder trial in Belfast.

Mr Heaton-Harris expressed belief at the incident, in which a number of men wore face coverings when attending the trial of James Stewart Smyth, 57, who is accused of killing Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in 1994.

There has been a heavy police presence at Laganside courts while former loyalist paramilitary-turned-supergrass Gary Haggarty has been giving evidence during the trial.

Mr Heaton-Harris told MPs: "Yes I did see those pictures and I simply can't believe that happened.

"The Lady Chief Justice (Dame Siobhan Keegan) has also put on the record her shock over this."

Earlier, the Northern Ireland Secretary was asked about the border poll comments made by Mr Baker on Monday, as reported by the Irish Times.

Citing his experience in the UK's Brexit referendum, the Northern Ireland Office minister said he regretted now that it did not require the support of 60% of those who voted.

"Would anyone here seriously want a 50% plus one united Ireland result in Northern Ireland? I speak personally," Mr Baker reportedly told the meeting.

"I deliberately say it like that because some of you I know would (want a 50 plus one result). But just reflect on the trouble we had from running a 50% plus one referendum in the United Kingdom."

Its chair Simon Hoare asked whether the secretary of state could "shoot a fox that started running around earlier this week which has caused some consternation", adding: "That fox is the super-majority retrofit."

Mr Heaton Harris replied: "Yes is the obvious answer - I can absolutely shoot it.

"The comments should not be considered any shift in government policy.

"The government is unwavering in its commitment to all strands of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and not least the principle of consent and the need to exercise parity of esteem for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.

"The agreement's clear that any change to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland would require the consent of a majority of its people."

He added: "And we're absolutely clear there is no basis to suggest that a majority of people in Northern Ireland wish to separate from the United Kingdom."

Mr Hoare responded: "That fox has now not just been shot, but stuffed and mounted."

Meanwhile, Mr Heaton-Harris said talks with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on restoring Stormont are in their "final phases and in a much more positive space than they have been previously".

Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive collapsed last year after the DUP withdrew in protest against post-Brexit trade barriers between the region and Great Britain.

The Windsor Framework was struck by the UK government and European Union earlier this year in an effort to address concerns with previous arrangements under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The DUP has, however, said the deal does not go far enough to allay its concerns.

The party has been in talks with the government to seek further legal assurances of Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market.

Mr Heaton-Harris was pressed on funding pressures facing public services in Northern Ireland.

The secretary of state set a budget for Stormont earlier this year in the absence of local ministers, leaving civil servants with decisions on substantial cuts.

DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: "Our healthcare workers, our nurses, deserve their pay rise, and without the UK government stepping in and giving that and awarding Northern Ireland the money for that, there is not the money within Stormont to do that."

Calling for new funding arrangements for Northern Ireland, she added: "The takeaway message from today is the UK government need to step up and actually fund our services appropriately."

Mr Heaton-Harris responded: "I think the takeaway message from today is that Northern Ireland needs a re-formed executive so locally elected ministers can take those decisions on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland."

The secretary of state was also asked if he was considering calling a fresh assembly election.

The government earlier this year extended until January 2024 the deadline for forming a new power-sharing executive.

Mr Heaton-Harris replied: "I don't have to have that conversation or thought process for a couple of months yet."

But he said there is a "general consensus" that an election "causes polarisation in Northern Ireland, and that is not good for this process".