DUP tells UK Brexit minister Protocol must be replaced

By PA

The DUP says it has told Lord Frost that the Northern Ireland Protocol must be replaced, during a meeting.

MPs Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Robinson along with Lord Dodds met with the Brexit Minister on Tuesday afternoon.

Sir Jeffrey said it was a “direct and forthright exchange of views with Lord Frost”, adding that they highlighted the “continuing harm” to businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland “as a direct consequence of the protocol”.

“Our message was clear and unambiguous – the protocol must go and the Government should take further unilateral action to restore our Province’s full and unfettered access to the United Kingdom internal market,” Sir Jeffrey said.

“The protocol has no support from any shade or quarter of unionism. Its imposition without the consent of both traditions in Northern Ireland and overriding of cross-community voting safeguards has seriously undermined support for devolution.

“We made it clear that the Government must act carefully but decisively to restore the delicate balance of community relations in the coming days.”

He added: “The Government has a duty to step up to the mark and urgently reinstate our historic East-West trading relationships.

“It must bring forward meaningful and sustainable proposals to replace the protocol, alleviate disruption facing businesses and in so doing restore in full the rights and benefits enjoyed by Northern Ireland citizens within the United Kingdom.”