The European Parliament has heard the last thing Ireland needs is an EU border.

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has told an emergency gathering in Brussels this morning that her party will defend the vote of the people of the North to remain in the European Union.

The Parliament has been debating the Brexit vote by the UK ahead of an overall meeting of EU leaders this evening.

In a passionate speech to the house Ms Anderson asked her colleagues to respect the vote by Northern Ireland and Scotland: “We will defend the wishes of the people of the North of Ireland.

“There was a democratic vote. We voted to remain.

“I tell you that the last thing that the people of Ireland need is an EU border, with 27 member states stuck right in the middle of it.”