Northern Ireland Protocol: 'Seven tests the yardstick' for return to Stormont - Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

This comes ahead of a trip to Belfast on Wednesday by the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly for talks with Stormont party leaders.

In advance of the talks, the Foreign Secretary said any issues with the Protocol which "risk and undermine" Northern Ireland's status within the union with Great Britain must be addressed.

The prospect of a deal on the Protocol has inched closer in recent days, following the agreement reached by Mr Cleverly with the European Commission's vice president Maros Sefcovic in London on Monday over the sharing of trade data.

Sir Jeffrey, however, said in a statement ahead of a series of talks with senior political figures that his party’s “seven tests” – set out in July, 2021 during a House of Commons debate – remain the “yardstick” by which any future deal will be measured. The party’s tests include ensuring Northern Ireland is on an equal footing with other parts of the UK on trade and the removal of any Irish Sea customs checks.

Mr Cleverly will be joined during Wednesday’s talks by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris.

Devolution in Northern Ireland has been in flux since last February when the DUP withdrew its First Minister from the ministerial executive in protest at the protocol.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, however, said in a statement in advance of his meeting with Mr Cleverly and Mr Heaton-Harris: “The Protocol was not, is not and will not be supported by unionists. Whilst some may be focused on short-term fixes, that will not work for the people of Northern Ireland. The restoration of devolved government is only made sustainable when the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s constitutional and economic place within the United Kingdom.”

He continued: “In July 2021, I outlined our seven tests for any deal which would replace the NI Protocol. They remain our yardstick for any proposed deal. Those tests were grounded on commitments already made by the Government to the people of Northern Ireland.”

Sir Jeffrey added: “I trust London and Brussels will recognise the need to reach an outcome which can be supported by unionists and nationalists.”

The government ministers are also set to meet business groups today as part of their efforts to understand the impact the protocol has had on trade. The Government said these meetings would help inform ongoing talks with the EU.

Mr Cleverly said: “My preference is for a negotiated solution, but the UK’s priority is protecting the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and preserving political stability in Northern Ireland.

“I am listening to the concerns of people and businesses in Northern Ireland and am keenly aware that the current situation isn’t working.

“We need to address those issues with the protocol that risk and undermine the place of NI in the UK.”

Mr Heaton-Harris said: “A solution to the problems created by the Northern Ireland Protocol is clearly desired by all across business and in government.

“As the Foreign Secretary has said, the Government is committed to resolving these problems as soon as possible.”