Stormont House Agreement: British and Irish governments call a review

Theresa Villiers has written to party leaders inviting them to a meeting at Stormont House

The British and Irish governments have called for political leaders in Northern Ireland to join them in a review of the Stormont House Agreement.

Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has written to party leaders inviting them to the meeting.

The Stormont House agreement was struck in December between the executive parties and the two governments.

But it is facing collapse over a failure to find agreement on welfare reforms.

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Office said the secretary of state "has written to party leaders inviting them to a meeting of the Stormont House Agreement Review Group".

"The Irish Government will participate in accordance with their responsibilities under the three stranded approach."

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 2 June at Stormont House.

The Irish department of foreign affairs issued a similar invitation.

It said the failure to pass the welfare bill would have "a direct and major impact on the prospects for implementing the totality of the Stormont House Agreement".

"Invitations have today been extended to the leaders of the Northern Ireland executive parties," it added.

"Minister Charlie Flanagan will lead the Irish government delegation."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's ard chomhairle (party executive) is holding talks in Dublin on Saturday to discuss the welfare crisis in Northern Ireland.

The meeting will be attended by the party leadership.