Jim Allister says unionists want strength not a 'fig leaf' - as shape of possible DUP-Government deal emerges

Speculation about the shape of any deal has increased after the Prime Minister confirmed to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson that he is ready to legislate on the UK Internal Market Act.

It is existing UK legislation to ensure access to the Great Britain market for Northern Irish businesses.

Mr Allister said: “I sincerely hope I’m wrong, but if the DUP’s deal merely obtains easements on the green lane and strengthens protections for NI to GB trade, then, it is indeed beginning to feel a lot like sell out.

“Neither green lane adjustments nor comfort tweaks to the Internal Market Act will change one word of the Protocol, nor remove one syllable of imposed EU law, nor remove the Sea Border, nor deliver us from the EU Customs Code diktat that GB is a foreign country and thus will do nothing to restore Art 6 of the Acts of Union.

“It is not NI to GB trade that is the problem, but the surrender of sovereignty over GB to NI trade to the EU and its laws. If this fundamental is not changed, then any return to the Stormont Executive (and that under financial blackmail) is a surrender to the supremacy of the Protocol and the ignominy of becoming Protocol implementers.

“Unionists are looking for strength, not a figleaf.”

DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP responded accusing the TUV leader of trying to undermine the DUP.

“The talks relating to the NI Protocol/Windsor Framework continue and progress has been made. For Jim Alister to dismiss the outcome of a process that is still underway, is further proof that Jim’s primary goal is to get rid of Stormont. Not for the first time, Jim’s focus seems to be on undermining the unionist negotiating team rather than getting a better deal for Northern Ireland”, said Mr Robinson.

The East Belfast MP said: “The DUP published our manifesto, including the 7 tests. That remains the yardstick for assessing any proposals from the Government. Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market, as Sir Jeffrey Donaldson pointed out in the House of Commons, must be restored in all scenarios.”