He was originally expected to stand down in September and return to private practice, but has stayed on while a new DPP is sought.

Although an official announcement is not expected until later today, The Irish News reports that Stephen Herron, senior assistant DPP, is likely to be promoted to the top post – his first major public role.

Speaking to The Irish News in his last weeks as DPP, Mr McGrory said legacy arrangements as they stand are “utterly unsustainable”, and even with money set aside under the Stormont House Agreement, there would be “a significant burden on the prosecutor’s office”.

Mr McGrory also said that “significant legislative reforms” had been delayed by the collapse of devolution.

He said: “There are an awful lot of reforms being held up, there is no doubt about that.

“It is difficult to make progress in terms of re-structuring the justice system in the absence of any political leadership.”