Paisley’s demand for ‘no surrender’ over negotiations with EU
MINISTERS have been urged to take a “no surrender attitude to the EU bureaucrats” by a DUP MP.
Ian Paisley accused the bloc of trying to blackmail and bully the UK as he asked an impassioned question in the Commons.
However, his intervention was described by the SDLP as a “unionist mantra” that belonged in the past.
Mr Paisley’s comments came as MPs pressed Northern Ireland ministers for further details about Brexit and how the border issue will be addressed.
Secretary of State Karen Bradley and minister Shailesh Vara reiterated the UK’s commitment to maintain a frictionless border, without undermining the integrity of the UK.
North Antrim MP Mr Paisley said: “Does the minister agree with me that it’s about time the Government demonstrated a no surrender attitude to the EU bureaucrats who try to blackmail us, bully us, over air flights, passenger duty and everything else. Stand up to them man, and stand up to the EU and let’s get on with leaving the EU.”
Mr Vara replied: “The Prime Minister will stand up to anyone and everyone when it comes to maintaining the best interests of the United Kingdom.”
There was further criticism of EU and Republic ministers by DUP MPs during Northern Ireland questions.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon urged trading with the Republic to continue “unhindered by petty point scoring, statement making, headline grabbing whims of EU leadership”.
Sammy Wilson raised concerns about “the frictions in relationships
between the UK Government and the Irish Republic”.
He added: “What comment has he got to make about the threat issued by the Foreign Minister yesterday, that he will block negotiations if he does not get the legislation produced to force the Northern Ireland Assembly to introduce EU regulations.”
Mr Vara said Brexit would be difficult but all parties were committed to being flexible and coming up with solutions.
Elsewhere, shadow Northern Ireland minister Stephen Pound asked whether an electronic border was feasible, “or is it just a fantasy?”.
Mrs Bradley said: “We are determined there will be no new physical infrastructure at the border and we will maintain things like the common travel area, which has been in existence since well before the EU.”
Speaking afterwards, the SDLP’s Claire Hanna said the “unionist mantra of no surrender” belonged in the past. The South Belfast MLA said: “I would like to say that I am shocked by the behaviour of the DUP MP in the House of Commons today, but I can’t. This is a typical headline grabbing stunt by Ian Paisley, seeking only to move the spotlight that is firmly on restoring talks here in Northern Ireland back onto him and his colleagues in London.
“The truth is that is because the DUP have no idea how to stop a hard border in Ireland — so they rely on slogans and soundbites to cover for their utter failure to stand up for the wishes and the interests of the people in the North.
“The unionist mantra of ‘no surrender’ belongs in the past. For a party that professes to want to restore power-sharing here, this language is sending the opposite signal.”