Unionists demand more changes to Rishi Sunak’s new Northern Ireland Brexit deal
UNIONISTS are demanding more changes to Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit deal.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson says the Windsor Framework doesn’t deal with some “fundamental problems” prompting new fears over the resumption of power-sharing in the region.
His comments come despite saying “significant progress” had been made on problems caused by the Protocol which govern trade rules since Brexit.
The new framework replaces the protocol by creating a new system for the flow of goods into Northern Ireland.
He led calls for “greater clarity” on how EU rules would affect firms in the province and called for the so-called Stormont brake giving politicians the opportunity to object to new Brussels’ laws to be “effective in law”.
He said: “It is my current assessment that there remains key areas of concern which require further clarification, re-working and change as well as seeing further legal text.”
The DUP have set up a panel to study the proposals against seven tests before they reach a conclusion.
Downing Street hopes backing from the unionists will restore power-sharing at the Stormont assembly.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “I really hope that the DUP and other politicians in Northern Ireland recognise that we have focused very much on their concerns.
“And I really hope that they’ll be able to give it their full-throated support.”