DUP scuppers Assembly

Party accused of ‘holding society to ransom’ as British PM says he is ‘not bluffing’ on threat to rip up Protocol

THE Northern Ireland Assembly has been adjourned to a ‘future date’ because the DUP blocked the election of a speaker yesterday, which meant an Executive could not be formed.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson had signalled in advance that his party would oppose the nomination of a first minister by Sinn Féin – the largest party in Stormont following last week’s election – until it’s issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol were addressed by the British government.

Speaking yesterday, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill said the DUP was ‘holding society to ransom’ and ‘punishing the public for their own selfish interests’.

British prime minister Boris

Johnson is set to visit Northern Ireland on Monday for talks, but he warned that he is ‘not bluffing’ over his threats to rip up the Protocol despite the EU having ruled out renegotiation of the postBrexit deal.

He said yesterday: ‘The problem with the current situation is that the Ulster unionists simply won’t go back in now. I’ve got to think about, as prime minister of the UK, my top priority is the Good Friday peace process, the balance in Northern Ireland, restoring government, that is my top priority.

‘And I think legally, politically, morally, that’s what we’ve got to focus on. There is the issue of the Protocol. We’re going to have to fix it. And I think we can certainly fix it in a way that is in there that protects the EU single market totally, but stops totally unnecessary barriers to trade.’

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said earlier yesterday, that it was ‘unsatisfactory’ and disappointing that the DUP are blocking the election of a Northen Ireland Assembly speaker.

‘The people elected an Assembly, the Assembly should meet, and then… form an Executive,’ Mr Martin said yesterday.

‘Yes there are issues that unionism has raised with us in respect of the Protocol, but those issues should not prevent the establishment and convening of the Assembly and the formation of the Executive.’

Mr Martin said the EU had been ‘very flexible’ on the Protocol, adding: ‘The evidence is growing that the Protocol is having a beneficial impact on the Northern Ireland economy.

‘I think there is a need now for pragmatism and common sense.’

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said the British government will be acting in an ‘anti-democratic’ way if it goes through with its threat to override elements of the postBrexit treaty.

The Protocol allows Northern Ireland to have free trade with the EU, but means British goods coming into the North must undergo EU inspections.

‘We’re going to have to fix it’