‘Shame and disgrace’ - DUP MLA Paul Frew doesn’t hold back on criticism of new coronavirus restrictions his party helped design

Paul Frew asked who was going to “protect the people” from the decisions being made by an administration his party jointly leads.

The North Antrim member told the Assembly there was “no rhyme and no reason” as to why businesses that had put in place infection control measures were being told to close.

“The best way to support business in this time is to allow them to trade safely. The health minister (Robin Swann) talks in biblical terms at the start of this crisis. Let me talk in biblical terms, Mr Speaker.

“It is a God given right for a person to endeavour to earn a living to provide for his or her family. The executive have removed that right from these people without having any idea of the support mechanisms going to be in place.”

Mr Frew gave the example of a hairdresser he was aware of that had 18 employees, none of whom knew if they would have a job to go back to.

“That is a sad state of affairs, it should not be,” he said.

“I know the executive will say we’re doing this for your own protection, it’s for your own good and we’re here to protect you.

“Well, who’s here to protect the people from the very executive who are making these decisions? Because I see no rhyme and no reason why you would close businesses down that have put in place measures to safeguard staff and custom. I have yet to see any evidence to suggest that those businesses where the places where the disease was contracted. It is an absolute shame and disgrace that the executive can make a decision like that.”