Ulster Unionists backed petition of concern on Sinn Fein motion 'to address strategic missteps' by the DUP over Brexit

The Ulster Unionist Party says it backed a DUP petition to force a cross-community vote on ‘EU observer status’ to protect the integrity of Northern Ireland’s constitutional arrangements – and address the consequences of “strategic missteps” by their rivals.

The three unionist parties in Stormont backed a petition of concern over a bid by Sinn Fein to write to Brussels requesting that local politicians be given a right to attend the European Parliament.

placeholder image — The UUP says its warnings of slower growth and diminished global influence after Brexit "have proven accurate".

Nationalists have been pushing for local representation in Strasbourg since Brexit, when Northern Ireland stopped electing MEPs to represent the province.

The News Letter reported at the weekend that the DUP intended to launch the petition to block the Sinn Fein motion – a move then backed by the UUP and TUV.

An Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson said their MLAs signed the Petition of Concern “to ensure it reaches the required threshold, reflecting our serious concerns about Sinn Féin’s motion on EU Observer status”.

They added: “This is not about placating the DUP; it is about addressing the consequences of their strategic missteps and protecting the integrity of our constitutional arrangements.

“The decision by the people of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has had far-reaching and disruptive consequences, particularly for Northern Ireland. Our Party, the only Unionist Party to advocate remaining in the EU, warned of slower growth, diminished global influence, and the strain on existing treaties. Those warnings have proven accurate.

“Lord Murphy’s report makes clear that Northern Ireland needs greater capacity to engage with EU institutions, including strengthening the NI Office in Brussels and Assembly departments. That is where our focus should be on improving awareness and early intervention.

“Sinn Féin’s political stunt is aimed at undermining the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and advancing a united Ireland agenda. EU Parliament Observer status is reserved for accession states under Article 13 of its Rules of Procedure. Attempts to suggest otherwise are legally baseless and constitutionally reckless”.