Mr McCord, who lodged a failed legal challenge against Brexit in the Northern Ireland courts, has applied for a judicial review against the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

His solicitor, Ciaran O’Hare of McIvor Farrell Solicitors, said Mr McCord “regards himself as an impassioned advocate of the Good Friday Agreement” with concerns about its implementation.

Mr O’Hare said: “Through Pre-Action correspondence with the Secretary of State on behalf of my client, it appears that since the conception of the , no policy and/or guidance has ever been implemented in relation to the issue of a border poll.

“Our client cannot fathom how after almost twenty years this issue, which appears to be a very clear systemic failure, has not been brought to the fore.”

He added: “Mr McCord is not calling for a Border Poll, that is definitely not what this case is about, ultimately that is a political decision.

“What this case seeks to establish is what the circumstances are that will lead to a Border Poll. As things stand the decision to call a Border Poll appears to be within the exclusive gift of the Secretary of State and is not otherwise defined.

“Mr McCord finds this unacceptable and potentially leaves the decision exposed to political expediency and as such seeks clarification on what circumstances or conditions are taken into account so that the Irish people are better prepared for such a potentially divisive eventually.

“The decision to call a Border Poll is for the politicians this case simply seeks clarification on behalf of the people.”