Cross-border meeting cancelled as Poots fails to show

By Q Radio news

A  north-south ministerial meeting has been cancelled after DUP  Agriculture minister Edwin Poots failed to take part.

The ministers had been due to discuss cross-border aquaculture.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and the Republic's environment minister logged on for the virtual meeting, but decided to cancel it when Mr Poots failed to show.

Earlier this week the high court ruled the DUP's boycott of cross border talks was "unlawful".

A north-south ministerial meeting has been cancelled after DUP Agriculture minister Edwin Poots failed to take part.https://t.co/aPhXWbN8Qu

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Last month party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson announced members would not attend such  gatherings other than health meetings in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

SDLP Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon described the situation as "astounding".

Mr Poots is not expected to join in a similar meeting on the environment later on Friday.

Under Stormont rules, such meetings cannot proceed without the participation of both a unionist and a nationalist minister.

The DUP says it technically is not boycotting Friday’s meetings because it was not possible to formally schedule them after the DUP First Minister refused to sign off on the agendas.

(Agriculture minister Edwin Poots)