THE secretary of state has been warned it may be illegal for the UK Government to push ahead with Brexit if there is no devolved government in Stormont.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also warned that a hard Brexit would undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
The Foyle MLA was speaking after James Brokenshire said that political chaos in Northern Ireland would not derail Brexit,
With a Stormont election on the cards, Mr Brokenshire warned the parties of the dangers of running divisive campaigns and how they could hamper efforts to rebuild power sharing in Belfast.
A deadline of 5pm today has been set for Sinn Féin to nominate a deputy first minister to replace Martin McGuinness.
However Mr Brokenshire said Brexit would not be hampered by a potential 25-day Stormont election campaign if Sinn Féin force an election - with polling in late February or early March and a possible three weeks of negotiations following that to form a new executive.
"I should also stress that we are not delaying the (Brexit) timetable. We still remain absolutely committed to triggering the Article 50 process by the end of March," the Secretary of State told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
"Nothing changes that."
He also said Northern Ireland should not lose out in the Brexit negotiations if there is no serving first and deputy first minister at Stormont.
He said the ministers would remain in their roles even with an election and they will continue to be consulted.
However Mr Eastwood said the secretary of state had "no right" to speak on behalf of Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland is most exposed in the event of a hard Brexit and yet our voice faces the risk of being sidelined and silenced," he said.
He also warned of the risk of a hard border with the Republic and its impact for business and working families.
The Foyle MLA said a hard Brexit would undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
And he added: "Mr Brokenshire has no right to speak on behalf of anyone in Northern Ireland - including on Brexit."
