Northern Ireland Protocol: UUP leader Doug Beattie ‘surrendering’ over changing Windsor Framework, claims DUP MP Sammy Wilson

UUP leader Doug Beattie responded by highlighting that the DUP boycott of Stormont has been ineffective in resolving the difficulties with the protocol.

“The Lords Sub-Committee report on the Windsor Framework has outlined what we have known for some time,” he said, “that boycotting of the devolved institutions has had no effect on the Northern Ireland Protocol or on the negotiations.”

He said the UUP had clearly opposed both Brexit and the protocol and would not have wished for the WF – but will still have to deal it being implemented whether Stormont is up and running or not.

He asked what is the alternative to restoring devolution if, as it has said, the British government is not going to reopen negotiations on the WF.

“If it’s direct rule ministers, as some are eagerly wishing for, be in no doubt Dublin will have a greater say in what happens in this part of the UK. It’s incumbent on all unionists to return to the executive as soon as possible to provide good government for the people of Northern Ireland and challenge the Windsor Framework from within.”

But Mr Wilson claimed the UUP leader was effectively surrendering.

“Running through Doug Beattie's statement is the message of just surrender, just give in … the idea that you've got to just accept this, that the British government is not going to change anything.

“However the British government said that they wouldn't go back and negotiate with Brussels – and they did.”

The outcome did not do enough to protect the Union or economy, he claimed, but it did bring some change.

The DUP never claimed it would be an easy fight, he said, but it has provoked the House of Lords, the NI Affairs Committee and the Centre for Brexit policy to challenge the assumptions around the WF.