British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has sparked a political backlash after declaring during his first official visit to Northern Ireland that a referendum on a united Ireland is “off the table”.

Speaking in Belfast yesterday, Mr Burnham said he would take a “collaborative approach” but insisted that some issues would be excluded from discussion, specifically ruling out a referendum on Irish unity.

He pointed to the experience of the Brexit and Scottish independence referendums, arguing that the divisions created by such votes can take a long time to heal, while saying that attention should instead be focused on the cost-of-living pressures facing people in Northern Ireland and the need to secure a Stormont budget.

His remarks have prompted a strong response from Sinn Féin, with the party arguing that the right to a referendum on Irish unity is not something that can simply be removed from the political agenda by a British Prime Minister.

Responding to Mr Burnham’s comments, Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said:

“The Good Friday Agreement was endorsed overwhelmingly by the people, North and South, in referenda.

“It is enshrined in law and its provisions stand. They are not in the gift of Andy Burnham, any British Prime Minister, or indeed any political party on this island to set aside.

“That was made absolutely clear to Andy Burnham yesterday.

“The Agreement provides a clear and democratic pathway for constitutional change based on the consent of the people.

“Partition has failed. It has failed economically, politically and socially, and the debate about a new Ireland is growing right across this island.

“The future of Ireland will not be decided by a British politician in Downing Street.

“It will be decided democratically by the people of Ireland, North and South, through the provisions agreed in the Good Friday Agreement.

“The responsible approach now is to prepare for constitutional change and for a referendum that is orderly, respectful and inclusive of every tradition on this island.”