UK Government says it's responsible for trade after Sinn Fein minister instructs officials to boycott Israel talks
The government has made clear that it is responsible for trade negotiations, amid a row over Stormont’s economy minister instructing officials not to engage in UK talks with Israel.
The comments come in response to a call from Jim Allister MP for the government to intervene over Caoimhe Archibald’s policy. The TUV leader had written to the Secretary of State arguing that the minister is acting outside the powers available to her.
Ms Archibald also told the state-backed trade body Invest NI to draw up plans to “eliminate any risk of public funds being used to support the manufacture of arms or components that are used for genocide”.
In the Assembly on Monday she said her policy sends a message “that we will have no part in supporting Israel’s genocide” in Gaza.
Now, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office has told the News Letter: “Trade policy is reserved and as such trade negotiations are the responsibility of the UK Government. The Government is aware of the Economy Minister's position.
“The Secretary of State will respond to Mr Allister's correspondence in due course.”
Mr Allister had written to NI secretary Hilary Benn, urging him to exercise powers under the Northern Ireland Act – and “take necessary action to countermand the purported actions of the minister”.
The TUV boss said that international relations is an excepted matter under the devolution settlement, and therefore trade talks with Israel – and measures taken in that regard – are a matter solely for His Majesty's Government.
In a letter to the Labour minister, seen by the News Letter, he says the Sinn Fein minister’s “purported actions are ultra vires”.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the economy minister said her department is drawing up an ‘Ethical Investment Framework’ based on “United Nations guiding principles” – and instructed officials not to “engage in the British government's trade talks with Israel while it continues to illegally occupy and impose apartheid on Palestine”.
Companies seeking grant support from Invest NI are to “confirm that they are not manufacturing arms or components for countries committing genocide”, Ms Archibald has said.
The stance has been slammed by unionist politicians – and the DUP has sought to bring the matter before the executive given its controversial nature.
The party has launched a petition in an attempt to get the issue in front of Stormont ministers, which has the backing of TUV MLA Timothy Gaston and some UUP MLAs. The DUP is confident it will reach 30 signatures required in the Assembly.
UUP MLA Steve Aiken says Minister Archibald’s actions have “personally damaged international confidence in the Northern Ireland economy and her position will act as a deterrent to future trade costing thousands of jobs”.
Her policy is a direct contradiction of the government’s approach on defence, with the Ministry of Defence saying NI workers “are benefiting from significant defence investment that is backing high-quality careers and driving innovation”.