DUP MLA alludes to Biblical redemption of ‘Brexit sinner’ Boris Johnson

There were media reports that a new bill, due to be laid before Parliament on Wednesday, will seek to undermine the existing Northern Ireland protocol.

The protocol is a crucial segment of the overall Withdrawal Agreement, which many have feared would create barriers to UK trade across the Irish Sea.

The whole issue has blown up just ahead of a new round of trade talks with the EU today [Tuesday].

The existing protocol requires extra checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, with the expansion of infrastructure to screen animals and food products.

There are two main changes which are reportedly being mooted to the NI protocol, according to the Financial Times

Firstly, it is thought the government is planning to use the bill to enshrine in law that NI companies will not need to provide export “exit declarations” when sending goods to Great Britain.

Secondly, it is believed the government will see to limit the occasions when it is required to notify the EU about subsidies which it wants to give to businesses.

In addition, it is said that an amendment to the Finance Bill will give ministers the power to designate which goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are considered “at risk” of entering the EU, and are therefore liable to EU tariffs.

The European Commission and Irish government warned the UK against altering the Withdrawal Agreement.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein, the SDLP, Alliance and Green Party wrote a join letter to the government and EU warning that efforts to alter the protocol “would represent a shocking act of bad faith”, because it would basically amount to Mr Johnson reneging on his own deal.

Unionists however took to the floor of Stormont to criticise the existing protocol and voice hope that the London government is indeed seeking to effectively over-ride parts of the deal.

In a Biblical allusion to Boris Johnson’s apparent toughening of his stance on the NI protocol, Christopher Stalford said: “There is great rejoicing over one sinner that repents.

“And for the sake of our country, our small businesses and our economy as a whole, I hope that the speculation is correct.”

This is a reference to the Parable of the Lost Sheep, to be found in the Book of Luke (“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent,” NIV).

TUV leader Jim Allister meanwhile stated: “Make no mistake about it – this protocol cuts us off from our primary market, the UK. it fetters our trade in both directions....

“What a sham this is, and, of course, it is all dressed up, most disingenuously, as being about supporting the Belfast Agreement.”

UUP leader Steve Aiken made reference to one of the potential consequences of the NI protocol – namely the setting up of a committee to oversee aspects of its implementation.

“We need to emphasise that the Belfast Agreement is about the principle of consent,” he said.

“To have Northern Ireland in some way managed by a specialist Joint Committee, with the implications of that, is not democracy.”

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