Judicial review proceedings against new Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley are listed for a preliminary hearing tomorrow, barely a week after the cabinet secretary took on the role.

Ms Bradley succeeded James Brokenshire after he resigned for health reasons.

A legal challenge brought by victims’ campaigner Raymond McCord seeks clarity on the cabinet secretary’s policy on a Northern Ireland border poll and the conditions under which one would be held.

He has already been granted permission for a similar judicial review in Dublin against the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General for Ireland and the Irish Government.

A preliminary High Court hearing will take place in Belfast tomorrow.

Mr McCord’s solicitor, Ciaran O’Hare of McIvor Farrell Solicitors, said: “My client is encouraged by the fact that he has already been granted leave to pursue his judicial review proceedings in the Republic of Ireland. My client is firmly of the view that the issue of the Border Poll has for too long been used as a political device.

“My client believes that a Border Poll should now be convened, especially in light of the fact that the people of Northern Ireland voted to remain part of Europe in the Brexit Referendum.”

Mr O’Hare added: “The fact of the matter is that the Secretary of State has thus far failed to provide my client with any evidence of a policy in relation to the Border Poll.

“This is indeed a surprising revelation, given that it is a matter of such great constitutional importance and the fact that the provision for a Border Poll is clearly enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement.”