Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Until now all Unionists have been united in rejecting the iniquitous Brexit Protocol which would drive a border down the Irish Sea.
“Sadly, and not for the first time, there are signs that the DUP is weakening.
“Edwin Poots hitherto was most robust and in Assembly answers to me (AQW 3169/17-22; and (ii) AQW 3292/17-22) went on record to say “I have no intention of facilitating infrastructure at Northern Ireland ports.”
“Now, alas, he is talking the language of “minimising” such checks and has even gone so far as to adopt the spin of the Remainer brigade in speaking of advantage in having access to the EU single market and the U.K. market.
“No one should dilute the reality that what the Protocol means is that this part of the U.K. is abandoned to the EU single market for goods and left, to all intents and purposes, in the EU Customs Union and VAT regime, with inevitable constitutional and long term economic damage. And, all this without any say on the rules governing these matters, while the rest of the U.K. operates under U.K. laws.
“This is not something to be facilitated or sanitised, but something no unionist should aid in any shape or form. The necessary increased infrastructure to help separate us from GB is something which can only be implemented with the cooperation of the DAERA minister. Now, is the time to stand firm, not to wilt.”