Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“I am dismayed to learn that none of the Unionists who chair Stormont’s committees attended a meeting last Thursday with Simon Hoare MP, the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. In the online meeting, the Sinn Fein chairs of the Agriculture and Economy committees, Declan McAleer and Caoimhe Archibald, and the SDLP chair of the Executive Office committee, Colin McGrath, were given a free run to present a pro-Protocol message.
“Consequently, concerns about the Protocol were dismissed as “rhetoric” and “political noise” while alleged “opportunities” presented by the Protocol were played up.
“Where were the chairs of the Communities Committee Paula Bradley, the Infrastructure committee, Michelle McIlveen, or Justice committee, Paul Givan? The Finance Committee chair, Steve Aiken, told me yesterday that he couldn’t attend because of other commitments.
“It is nothing short of scandalous that the Unionist case didn’t even get an airing at this meeting and that pro-Protocol propaganda went unchallenged while the very real concerns – both constitutional and practical – arising from the Protocol were ignored.
“From the very start of this crisis I have warned of the need for Unionism to be united and determined in its opposition to the Protocol. Missing such a meeting, with one of the Unionists invited not even managing to send an apology, is unacceptable. The Unionist electorate are entitled to expect better. They should demand better.”