The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, called a snap Assembly election to be held on Thursday 2 March. Seven days after Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned, the party refused to nominate one of its MLAs to the role. Mr McGuinness later confirmed he will not stand in this coming election, citing health reasons. This vote will be to a smaller Assembly, with the number of MLAs set to fall from 108 to 90; that’s five MLAs per constituency as opposed to six.

DUP MP Ian Paisley Jnr thanked Martin McGuinness for his role in the peace process. He said his “remarkable journey not only saved lives but made the lives of countless people better”. Referring to his father, the late Reverend Ian Paisley, and Mr McGuinness, who served as First Minister and deputy First Minister together, he said both figures “were derided for the friendship they had, but people would like to see a few chuckles around Stormont today”.

Prime Minister Theresa May set out her vision for the UK leaving the European Union. Ahead of triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in late March, she said the UK intends to leave the single market and customs union but will seek the “freest possible trade” with European countries. Mrs May also stated her priority to maintain the Common Travel Area between the UK and Republic of Ireland. When agreed, the final deal will go to a vote in Parliament.

A former head of the European Commission’s customs procedures unit, Michael Lux claimed controls at the Irish border will return post-Brexit should the UK leave the customs union. “Red and green lanes”, he said, could be introduced as a form of customs control.  Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he wants “a preservation of the seamless border that is there now”, adding the Irish government is considering ways in which border customs checks can be minimised.

Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States. In his inaugural speech, he said “From this day forward it’s going to be America first,” promising to end what he called an “American carnage”. President Trump accused the establishment in Washington of protecting itself and abandoning regular US citizens. He said “Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.”