Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“At a time when Unionism desperately needs strong leadership, all it is getting from the DUP is equivocation and dither.
“The supposed equilibrium of the Belfast Agreement, as between north/south and east/west relations, has been trashed with the devastation of our east/west links through the iniquitous Protocol. And what do we get from the DUP – a Hokey Cokey response to north/south meetings, sometimes attending, sometimes not.
“What is required on that front is a no nonsense, unequivocal boycott of all such meetings unless and until our vital east/west links are fully restored. Instead of ducking and diving on why some meetings have not taken place, the DUP needs to own a boycott as a legitimate and necessary tactic and, importantly, as an indication of serious intent. Play-acting won’t cut it.
“It would do the DUP no harm to reflect on what their partners, Sinn Fein, would have done if the border had been where it ought to be. There would be no tip-toing by them around the issues and certainly no building of border posts and manning them if it fell to a Sinn Fein ministry. But, with the DUP it is all dither and denial even when the most modest of steps are taken.
“It’s time to get real in tackling the Union-dismantling Protocol, instead of contemplating even further pandering with Irish language legislation.”