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Good morning John

Yesterday I attended a packed business breakfast in North Belfast, hosted by our local MLAs Phillip Brett and Brian Kingston. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet so many of our leading employers.


It came at the end of a testing week for Northern Ireland, so I began there. Everyone in that room knew that if every firm tore up the rule book and ignored the law relating to their business, there would be chaos.


Over the last seven days, that is what we have seen.


Every democratic society rests on law and order. Without it there is anarchy, and we cannot allow mob rule to take hold.


A founding principle of the DUP is that everyone is equal under the law and equally subject to it. Those who broke the law, or encouraged others to, must be held accountable.


We have met the Chief Constable and welcome that the police have opened a major criminal investigation. Northern Ireland needs to see justice served.


Some have said our first response should be to walk away from Stormont. Mine is to trust the police, the courts and the criminal justice system. I believe there are some in Sinn Fein who want the DUP out of government, but we will not be goaded into walking away from our responsibilities and plunging Northern Ireland into crisis. This is a time for firm but steady leadership.

The rest of the morning was about the economy where we were able to engage with employers who are anxious about the budget in a few weeks.


Arlene Foster was the guest speaker. I was glad to pay tribute to her. As Enterprise Minister she saw the potential of our screen industry long before most. From where we were meeting, just along the shore at Giant's Park we have a £72 million virtual production campus. It's the only facility of its kind on the island of Ireland, and among the most advanced anywhere.


But what I heard most from employers is cost, and above all energy. Since the conflict in the Middle East began, every firm moving goods has felt fuel prices swing. Because VAT sits on top of duty, the Treasury's take rises with them. It is a tax on a tax.


Extending the fuel duty freeze was the right call. When the Chancellor stands up later this month, the planned rise must be cancelled. Almost everything here moves by road, so every penny on diesel lands harder in Northern Ireland.


As we look ahead, next week, the First Minister must be held to account in the Assembly, and the PSNI must be allowed to pursue its investigation without fear or favour.


Alongside that however, we will be tackling the issues that affect our economy and households right across Northern Ireland.


Others may want us to walk away. We were elected to deliver, and that is exactly what we will do.

Yours sincerely,

Rt. Hon. Gavin Robinson MP

DUP Leader

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