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John

This week I joined unionist colleagues outside the Supreme Court in London. The legal challenge to the Protocol is a welcome example of different strands within unionism coming together in recognition of the constitutional and political harm caused by the Protocol. It represents an existential threat to the future of Northern Ireland’s place within the Union. The longer this pertains, the more it will harm the Union itself.

A solution to the Protocol was never going to be found in the courts. The Supreme Court has however helped clarify and crystalise the damage which was identified by those who brought this case.

I warned more than 18 months ago that the Protocol was incompatible with devolution and set out the actions we were going to take. The situation we are in today was entirely predictable, yet many seemed to deliberately ignore these warnings.

Following the Supreme Court ruling the Secretary of State has said “things need to change”. He must recognise that there will be no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place within the UK internal market and our constitutional position is restored.

It is disgraceful that the issue of organ donation is being used as blackmail for the return of devolution. We will not be nominating a Speaker on Tuesday. Westminster is sovereign and can resolve the issue quickly.

Just like the £600 energy payments, Dáithí’s Law will be put in place and probably within the timescale originally envisaged.

I will be tabling an amendment to the Executive Formation Bill that will empower the Secretary of State to lay the necessary legislation and see this law in place.

Given Sinn Fein’s politicking on the matter, let’s see if they take their seats in Westminster to help pass this law in the House of Commons. We won’t hold our breath. Utterly false outrage from Sinn Fein as usual.

We have a mandate for the action we are taking. The DUP is representing its electorate and there will be no return to a fully functioning Stormont without unionists.

Best wishes

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Leader

Democratic Unionist Party