Owen Paterson says no to border poll for NI
- Published
Mr Patterson told MPs that he had not received a single letter or phone call about a border poll
The secretary of state has made it clear he has no intention of holding a border poll in Northern Ireland.
Owen Paterson, who has the power to call a vote on NI's place in the UK, was speaking in the House of Commons during Northern Ireland Questions.
The DUP MP Nigel Dodds responded to Mr Paterson's comments.
The North Belfast MP raised the findings of a recent survey which claimed that 80% of people here wanted to stay in the UK.
Mr Dodds pressed the secretary of state on whether he had any plans to hold a border poll in Northern Ireland.
Owen Paterson told MPs that he had not received a single phone call or letter about this issue.
Sinn Fein raised the issue of a border poll earlier this year.
A border poll was last held in Northern Ireland in March 1973. It was largely boycotted by nationalists.