Northern Ireland Protocol: Jim Allister warns DUP against accepting a deal to solve economic headaches but not constitutional ones

Jim Allister was speaking this morning following days of mounting speculation that a deal is at hand which would ameliorate some of the key problems wrought by the Protocol.

Earlier this month, the rumours about such a deal suggested that it mainly involved creating red and green lanes at Northern Irish ports, to allow for the smooth flow of cargo coming from GB.

The idea is that lorries bearing only goods for Northern Irish consumers would be fast-tracked through a green lane, and lorries with goods destined for the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere would remain subject to inspections.

Mr Allister said today: “When all is said and done the critical test of any Sunak deal with the EU will be constitutional, not economic.

“It is the imposition and supremacy of EU law and subjection to the EU Customs Code which have Art 6 of the Acts of Union in suspension.

“So long as Northern Ireland is, in customs and single market terms, EU territory, where their laws apply, then, whatever the spin, our constitutional position is fundamentally altered.

“I caution fellow unionists, tempted to stretch themselves to secure a deal, not to fall for the carrot of access for NI to the EU single market, because that comes at a toxic price, namely, supplicant acceptance of EU law and its ECJ.

“If NI is to be outside the EU then we must of constitutional necessity be outside its single market and customs regime.

"Of course, to trade into the EU market, or any other market, (as is the case for GB) our goods must meet their standards, but none of that requires membership of their single market, nor a dual regulatory regime.

“With the UK outside the EU economic and legal orbit then that is where NI too must be.

"Our constitutional and trading position is not the stuff of venn diagrams, where we straddle both legal orders, but must be as proscribed by the Acts of Union – no ifs, no buts.”

••• More from this reporter •••

• The Supreme Court’s landmark Protocol ruling, simplified: The what, why, and who of unionism's failed legal battle

• Unionists claim vindication despite defeat in Northern Ireland Protocol case: Here are the five applicants in their own words

• Loyalist Communities Council chairman: If DUP goes soft on Northern Ireland Protocol it will stir unrest in UVF/UVF ranks