A PROMINENT Tory MP has said he will vote for an Irish language act if Westminster intervenes in an ongoing row between the DUP and Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin has called on the British government to legislate for Irish language provisions agreed in last January's New Decade, New Approach deal.
The republican party said it will not support the DUP's Paul Givan as first minister without a formal commitment to the introduction of Irish language legislation in this assembly mandate.
However, DUP economy minister Paul Frew said yesterday any British government intervention risks destablising Stormont.
Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has said he is exploring "all options" in his efforts to maintain powersharing.
Mr Frew said: "We have devolution and the secretary of state needs to be careful that he doesn't do anything that would undermine devolution at this time."
North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said yesterday he would vote for an Irish language act if it was put before the Commons.
The Welsh-born Tory politician has been chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee since June 2019.
"FWIW (for what it's worth): I'm a Celt & I love the rich diversity of language & culture across our islands," he tweeted.
"The Welsh Language Act didn't lead to a rise in nationalism but a cultural flowering & richness.
"If it comes to the Commons I will vote for an Irish Language Act. We will act if Stormont fails."
He later clarified: "It’s an issue best done by Stormont but *if* it falls then none should be surprised if Westminster steps in."
"We can’t and won’t let NI hang in the air," he said.
