DUP and Tory Brexiteers warn there’s ‘still some way to go’ before they can back a Protocol deal in fresh blow to Rishi Sunak – with Northern Ireland party demanding removal of EU rules for goods traded within the UK
- DUP and Tory Brexiteers warn there’s ‘still some way to go’ on a Protocol deal
- Jeffrey Donaldson meets with European Research Group of MPs at Westminster
The DUP and Tory Brexiteers tonight warned there is ‘still some way to go’ before they can back an agreement to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol row.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is thought to be on the verge of striking a deal over the post-Brexit trade dispute with the EU.
But both the DUP and the European Research Group of Tory MPs – two influential groups who would be key to a deal’s success – continued to withhold their support.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson outlined how his party was pushing for the UK Government to remove requirements for Northern Ireland businesses to have to abide by EU laws when selling goods to the rest of the UK.
He said the idea of ‘dynamic alignment’ between Northern Ireland and EU rules, as currently exists under the Protocol, was ‘the key issue’ in his party’s opposition to the post-Brexit arrangements.
The ERG, who have often been staunch supporters of the DUP on Brexit issues, insisted they could only take a view on a Protocol deal once it had been scrutinised by their ‘Star Chamber’ of lawyers.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said there was ‘still some way to go’ on a Protocol deal after meeting with Tory Brexiteers at Westminster
ERG chairman Mark Francois said Tory Brexiteers would not be able to support any deal struck between Mr Sunak and Brussels until they had seen a legal text
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is thought to be on the verge of striking a deal over the post-Brexit trade dispute with the EU
A revolt by Tory eurosceptics against a Protocol deal could imperil Mr Sunak’s chances of finally resolving the UK’s dispute with Brussels and put further pressure on his premiership.
The DUP are continuing to boycott powersharing in Northern Ireland as part of their protest against the Protocol, with a resolution to the UK-EU row seen as critical to restoring Stormont government.
Speaking after a meeting with the ERG at Westminster tonight, attended by up to 50 MPs, Sir Jeffrey commended Mr Sunak for the progress he had made so far on reaching a Protocol deal with the EU.
But he added: ‘There’s still some way to go, there are still some very key issues that need to be resolved.
‘We will work with the Government to ensure we get the right outcome. An outcome that respects Northern Ireland’s place in the UK and its internal market, an outcome that meets our seven tests, and an outcome that sees the political institutions in Northern Ireland restored on a firm democratic footing.’
Sir Jeffrey said the DUP were ‘concerned’ that any deal means the application of EU law is replaced by UK law for Northern Ireland businesses trading goods with the rest of the UK.
He stressed that Northern Ireland should ‘follow UK law and UK standards for trade within the UK and, for trade with the EU, we follow EU law and EU standards’.
‘That’s very clear. The Protocol created a huge problem for Northern Ireland and our ability to trade with the rest of the UK,’ he added. ‘That at its heart is what needs to be resolved.’
The DUP leader said it was ‘not acceptable’ to have a situation where Northern Ireland could import goods from Great Britain and sell them as products made to UK standards, but then make the same products in Northern Ireland and be forced to make them to EU standards.
‘The idea that all goods manufactured in Northern Ireland should align to the EU single market and its rules really inhibits our ability to trade within the UK and that’s not acceptable,’ he added.
Sir Jeffrey admitted he had yet to see the legal text of any Protocol agreement between the UK and EU, but said it was ‘possible’ that a breakthrough could emerge ‘in the next few days’.
Pressed on whether Brussels would ever agree to the DUP’s demands, Sir Jeffrey pointed out how he was previously told the EU would never renegotiate the Protocol.
‘I don’t subscribe to the never ever view,’ he added.
A revolt by Tory eurosceptics against a Protocol deal could imperil Mr Sunak’s chances of finally resolving the UK’s dispute with Brussels and put further pressure on his premiership
ERG chairman Mark Francois said Tory Brexiteers would not be able to support any deal struck between Mr Sunak and Brussels until they had seen a legal text.
‘Any MP worth their salt, if they’re asked to vote on a deal, weants to be able to read it first,’ he said. ‘That’s not unreasonable.
‘We too would be very keen to read the legal text and our Star Chamber of lawyers, under Sir Bill Cash’s chairmanship, will put it through pretty close scrutiny.
‘And then when we’ve had a chance to do that we can given you an opinion too.
‘But I think it’s not unreasonable to point out, you can’t ask for the degree of support or otherwise for a deal or against a deal, until you can’t actually ask what the deal is.’
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and the EU’s Maros Sefcovic had earlier held talks via video link.
Mr Cleverly said the trio ‘remain laser-focussed on finding a solution that works for the people of Northern Ireland’ and would speak again soon.
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