Naomi Long looks set to be the next Leader of the Alliance Party having this week secured support of all the party’s MLAs. Mrs Long is acting leader following David Ford’s resignation. She is the sole candidate for the position. Mrs Long said, if elected, she would “refresh, renew and re-energise the party”. The leadership will be decided at a special Alliance party council on Wednesday 26 October.

The Irish government confirmed discussions are under way with Britain over how to secure the two countries’ borders, control immigration and counter terrorist threats after Brexit. The Department of Justice in Dublin said Irish and British immigration officials are already sharing intelligence about foreign visitors passing through airports and ferry ports.

The Irish News reported Northern Ireland Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, pulled out of an event run by the DUP after it was revealed to be a party fundraiser. As reported, Mr Brokenshire was listed as guest speaker in what was billed as a business breakfast. He withdrew in the face of unwelcome publicity.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the SNP conference a bill beginning a consultation on a second independence vote will be published next week. Later, she promised to explore all options short of independence that would maintain Scotland’s place in the single market.

The Sunday Times shared a previously unpublished newspaper column by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in which he said said the UK remaining in the EU would be a “boon for the world and for Europe”. Mr Johnson later became a leading figure in the Leave campaign. The article warned Brexit could lead to an economic shock, Scottish independence and Russian aggression. The Sunday Times says Mr Johnson first wrote an article arguing the case for Brexit, then wrote the pro-Remain piece “as a way of clarifying his thoughts”, before composing a final article backing Brexit.