Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Of course it is welcome that the minister has finally come round to agree that the Poots Posts and checks need to be aborted. This has long been a TUV call.
“The fundamental question though remains, why did it take a year to do this – a year which included excuses and justifications for the very checks Minister Poots now abandons.
“There is nothing like an election to focus minds!
“The partitioning of the United Kingdom by the Poots Posts and checks based on acceptance of Northern Ireland being left under a foreign single market and customs code, were never justified, nor compatible with our position within the U.K.
“A major part of TUV’s function will be to ensure there is no backsliding on this issue, given that implementing for a full year that which has now been stopped does not generate confidence.
“If the DUP had heeded the TUV’s calls throughout last year we would not have seen the iniquitous Protocol bed in.
“Now, the focus must be on removing the ill-gotten sovereignty of the EU over Northern Ireland – in all its parts.”