UK prime minister Andy Burnham has sparked huge debate by claiming a border poll is "off the table"

Chris Bryant was speaking as Stormont parties are still without agreement on a budget for the administration.

Sinn Féin MP Daire Hughes said an ‘energetic debate’ was under way about a new Ireland.

The records from the National Archives in Dublin show that the SDLP and the Irish government were heavily against the idea.

The Fine Gael leader said it is his and his party’s aspiration for there to be a united Ireland, but it is not a priority for him.

Speaking in Belfast, the Prime Minister said ‘constitutional change’ was not a priority.

The Labour leader also outlined a desire to renegotiate an improved trade deal with the EU.