Londonderry city deal money now ‘ready for spending’

“Part of the problem has been that the Belfast and Londonderry and Strabane deals have been slightly ahead in terms of time and preparation – but not by much,” he said.

Mr Campbell said there was now an onus on Mr Benn to ensure the deals still under threat get the go-ahead.

“The key player here is the secretary of state,” he said.

“He is the person that has the immediate ear of the chancellor, and he has got to do his bit to try and ensure that where he sits at the cabinet table, which is batting for Northern Ireland, that he carries out his duty.

“That’s what needs to happen today, tomorrow and going forward.”