Border poll ‘off the table’, says Andy Burnham on first Northern Ireland visit

‘We've got to focus on bringing people together’

Why Burnham says a border poll is off the table

In an exchange filmed by BBC News, Burnham is seen being asked directly whether he would call a referendum on Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK or joining with the Republic of Ireland.

"Well obviously I'm here as I said earlier to listen and I will take a collaborative approach, but some issues will be off the table and that is one issue that will be off the table," the prime minister replied.

"Because we've got to focus on bringing people together as best we can," he added.

He cited the 2016 EU referendum and the 2014 Scottish independence vote as the precedents shaping that position.

Burnham met Stormont's first and deputy first ministers and the leaders of the Assembly's main parties.

The trip comes with the power-sharing executive pressing the government for more funding.

The four-party coalition has still not set a budget nearly five months into the financial year, departments face a shortfall of up to £1.6bn according to a spending watchdog, and public services are running under contingency arrangements.

Burnham said he wanted an "honest exchange", and made clear the money would come with questions attached.

"There are things that we would say if we can work together, have a look at where possible savings can be made or where things can be done differently, it's right and proper that I ask for those assurances," he said.

The visit comes weeks into a premiership that has already moved quickly on domestic reform.

JOE has charted everything the new PM has done since coming to power, including a plan to hand mayors sweeping new powers over local planning.