Leaders of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to sign memorandum on independence on Monday

The First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will sign a landmark agreement on Monday aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums on independence.

SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill will meet in Cardiff on Monday, where they are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding pushing for referendums in their respective countries.

The trio will meet in their capacity as party leaders, rather than as officials in their respective governments.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald will also attend the meeting.

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP has already said O’Neill has “not sought any agreement or permission from me to travel, attend or sign anything as First Minister”.