Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“When first mooted every unionist saw and identified the constitutional and economic threat of an Irish Sea Border, with all vowing to oppose it.
“But, what has happened since? A DUP controlled department, DAERA, is now preparing border posts, no less, at Larne and elsewhere! The rhetoric too has changed, with Minister Poots adopting the EU nonsense speak of advantage in having a foot in both camps.
“The reality though remains, an Irish Sea Border will orientate our economy onto an all-Ireland footing, divide us from the Kingdom of which we are a part and lay a foundation for the anticipated constitutional change that motivated EU intransigence in the first place.
“With our key east-west links under threat, an obvious tactic for unionists was to thwart the north/southery. But, sadly, yesterday’s agreement by the First Minister to a North South Ministerial Council meeting on 31 July, confirmed that there is no appetite to take any tangible steps in fighting back against the barriers to our vital east/west ties.
“Sadly, the fight has gone out of the lead party of Unionism on this seminal issue. Sammy Wilson MP apart, I detect no resistance. Preventing a NSMC meeting would have sent a clear signal of intent that unionists will not lie down under the destruction of our British links, but, instead, business as usual is the order of the day.”