CALLS for an independent figure to chair crisis talks at Stormont are expected to increase over the coming days after the latest round of negotiations concluded without agreement.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire last night refused to be drawn on the possibility of appointing somebody to oversee the next phase of discussions despite criticism of his role over the past three weeks.
Talks aimed at restoring devolution broke down on Sunday ahead of yesterday's deadline for nominating a first and deputy first minister.
Legislation dictates that if a Stormont executive is not in place then the secretary of state must call an election 'within a reasonable period'.
Last night Mr Brokenshire rejected criticism of the British government's handling of the process and defended the fact Prime Minister Theresa May did not directly participate.
He said the London government had played a "positive and active" role and Mrs May had been kept updated throughout.
He declined to be drawn on calls for an independent mediator to be appointed to inject fresh impetus into negotiations that some politicians described as a "shambles" to date.
Sinn Féin northern leader Michelle O'Neill said she was open to the suggestion that an outside chair be appointed to mediate new talks.
It is understood republicans would not agree to sit in a plenary session chaired by Mr Brokenshire, given his position on legacy issues.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said a new process was needed with an independent chair "not only facilitating proceedings but driving the dialogue forward".
"We are saying again today that there has to be a new process and there has to be a chairperson that can pull all this together," he said.
"That means the Secretary of State James Brokenshire (has) to provide some space for this to happen."
In the previous two talks processes that led to the Stormont House Agreement and Fresh Start, the two governments took on the role of mediators.
In 2013, former US special envoy Richard Haass was drafted in alongside diplomat Meghan O'Sullivan to chair talks on flags, parades and dealing with the past.
However, a three-month process concluded without agreement after unionists failed to sign up to a series of proposals.
