Secretary faces first day in job exactly one year after Stormont collapse

By David Hunter

The new Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley is set to begin her first day in the role exactly one year since the collapse of power sharing. 

The former accountant moves from her previous role as culture secretary, the Prime Minister's office confirmed.

The Staffordshire Moorlands MP, replaces James Brokenshire in the role after he resigned yesterday citing health problems. 

January 9th marks 12 months to the day since late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, resigned from the governing coalition at Stormont in protest at the DUP's handling of a botched green energy scheme.

The British and Irish Governments are expected to kickstart another bid to restore devolution in the coming weeks after several rounds of talks last year failed to produce a deal.

The DUP and Sinn Fein have conflicting ideas surrounding marriage equality, Language and culture issues.

Announcing his resignation, Mr.McGuinness stated "There will be no return to the status quo."

It's a phrase his party has taken a strong stance on since his death in March 2017, insisting the resignation from Government was 'not a stunt'.

ABOVE: The family of Martin McGuinness follow his coffin through the Bogside following his death on March 21 2017

The impasse has created major problems for the Northern Ireland Civil Service which is now effectively running the country without ministers. 

It mean's departmental funding can't be approved causing delays for charities, victims of institutional abuse and progressing legislation on dealing with the past. 

A controversial tweet by Sinn Fein MP Barry McElduff last week has further entrenched the problems between the parties. 

The West Tyrone representative shared a video with a Kingsmill Branded loaf of bread on the anniversary of the 1972 Kingsmill Massacre in rural south Armagh.

10 protestant textile workers were pulled from a van in the village and murdered at the roadside by republicans.

He insists the video was an unintended coincidence "Although I genuinely meant no offence, I accept that my actions were ill-judged and, while unintended, caused deep and unnecessary hurt and pain to the Kingsmill families." he said.

Mr.McElduff continued "I apologise unreservedly for this. In recognising the serious consequences of my actions, I fully accept the party’s decision to suspend me from all party activity for a period of three months."

The Democratic Unionist party leader said the video was "deeply offensive" to the victims families. 

Arlene Foster also said it would make it more difficult to re-establish a power sharing government with Sinn Fein after the MP was suspended for three months. 

Alan Black was the sole survivor of the atrocity despite being shot several times, and says he's disgusted that Mr.McElduff will still receive his full pay.

Kingsmill survivor Alan Black says SF McElduff 3- month suspension on full pay "beggars belief for mocking the dead" pic.twitter.com/7HRxZAsU21

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 8, 2018

The Northern Ireland Secretary said: "Clearly, there are immediate challenges.

"It is now a year since Northern Ireland has had an effective, functioning power-sharing administration, and forming a Northern Ireland Executive, to deliver for the benefit of all, is my top priority.

"I believe a devolved government in Belfast is best placed to address these issues and take the key decisions which affect people's day to day lives, whether these relate to the economy, public services or issues of policing and justice."

ABOVE: Prime Minister Theresa May and Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley