The president of Sinn Féin has slammed Boris Johnson for using “obstructionist” tactics following talks in Belfast.

Mary Lou McDonald made the remarks to journalists this afternoon following crunch talks at Hillsborough Castle.

McDonald claims Boris Johnson has deployed “very unacceptable obstructionist tactics”, and said a Northern Ireland Executive ought to be formed as soon as possible.

“There is an established mechanism through the joint committee to deal with those elements of the protocol that need to be smoothed out, finessed and altered.

“The prime minister is aware of that. The government in Dublin is aware of that. The European institutions are aware of that.

“And yet here we find ourselves in a situation where the British prime minister is quite willing to act in coordination with the DUP, with very, very unacceptable obstructionist tactics.”

McDonald said the wrangling currently preventing a functioning executive in Stormont would not be allowed to play out in any other part of the UK, complaining: “It is not acceptable in the north of Ireland and I dare say it would not be acceptable anywhere else in England.

“In Boris Johnson’s own backyard, would he deem it acceptable for one minute to say to struggling families and workers ‘struggle on while we hold a veto on the government that can deliver for you’?

“It is not acceptable there, it is not acceptable here. We have made that very clear to him. We did not manage to convince him of the error of his ways. But be very, very clear that we will persist on these matters.”