Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COUNCIL CHIEF ‘ADVISED BY 3 DUP MPS’ TO RAISE CONCERNS ON PROTOCOL
Donaghy defends » Port staff removed letter to Government ‘for their own safety’
A COUNCIL chief executive was “advised” by three DUP MPS to write a confidential letter to the UK Government raising concerns about the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Anne Donaghy of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council told the Cabinet Office she was relaying her worries on the advice of Ian Paisley, Sammy Wilson and Jeffrey Donaldson.
In the letter, seen by the Mirror, Ms Donaghy claimed there was paramilitary activity at Larne Port and she felt “compelled” to take measures to protect workers.
The correspondence was written two days before the council and Stormont’s agriculture department temporarily withdrew staff from Larne and Belfast ports over safety concerns after the discovery of threatening graffiti opposing Irish Sea border checks.
A Stormont committee is examining the controversial decision on February 1 after police said there was no evidence of “credible threats”. Disgruntled individuals rather than loyalist paramilitaries or organised gangs were considered responsible.
In the five-page letter entitled “NI concerns on the implementation of the NI Protocol”, Ms Donaghy said she was writing to the Cabinet Office “in confidence”.
She added: “I have been advised by my local MPS, Mr Ian Paisley, Mr Sammy Wilson and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson that I should write to you to inform you of my first-hand experience in relation to the difficulties, concerns and evolving issues that are emerging locally with the implementation of the NI Protocol after only 30 days.” Ms Donaghy said she was
“aware of the involvement of paramilitary groups and recent protests at Larne Port” and raised concerns over “sinister graffiti”.
She added: “I have made the PSNI aware of the ongoing issues but I now feel compelled to take measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of my staff.”
Ms Donaghy also raised issues including governance, funding and UK connectivity.
She was asked about the letter as she appeared before the Assembly’s agriculture committee yesterday alongside council mayor Peter Johnston. The letter was dated January 30 but Ms Donaghy said it was sent on February 3.
She added she was writing in her capacity as a representative of council chief executives’ body Solace, but the letter does not appear to mention Solace. Alliance MLA John Blair questioned why Ms
Donaghy had not sought the views of other parties, describing it as a “oneparty assessment”.
Ms Donaghy said she is “apolitical” in her work and observes the Nolan principles on public standards.
DUP councillor Mr Johnston added the withdrawal of workers pending a formal written threat assessment from police was “non-political and was purely based on the health and safety of our staff ”. He said it was unanimously agreed by councillors.
A DUP spokesman added: “The chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council contacted a number of representatives about concerns related to the protocol, surrounding a potential levy being imposed on users of Larne port.
“In line with normal parliamentary protocol it was suggested that she highlight those concerns in writing to the Government.”
I now feel compelled to take measures to protect my staff ANNE DONAGHY IN LETTER TO GOVERNMENT