Sinn Fein joined by Scottish and Welsh leaders in signing deal to push for independence

The joint agreement immediately puts pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland to gain independence.

SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Michelle O’Neill all signed the memorandum of understanding during a meeting in Cardiff.

Mary Lou McDonald was also in attendance as they called on the UK government to "prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change".

The agreement stated: "The political landscape across these islands is changing. For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom.

"For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.

"We believe there is a better way: nations working together as equals, sharing ideas and expertise, and building relationships based on mutual respect and common interests.

"Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.

"We therefore commit to strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference."

The leaders also said in the agreement that "the future of our nations belongs in the European Union".

They added: "Our nations have the right to self-determination. No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future.

"We recognize that our parties have different constitutional positions and that each nation will determine its own future in its own way and in its own time.

"We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction."

Speaking at the event, Michelle O’Neill remarked that Donald Trump’s comments on Irish unity prove that the conversation is "very much alive".

She declared: "I think that tells us where we’re at with where the thinking is around what is the big prize here for our people, and the big prize here is unification.

"It is the end of partition and it is that new beginning in a new Ireland.

"I think the comments that we’ve seen over the weekend very much reflect that there is a chorus now of people that are engaged in this debate."

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.