https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/dup-has-made-no-substantive-progress-to-end-irish-sea-border-claims-senior-party-source/a1685161348.html
A senior DUP source has said the party appears to have made “no substantive progress” on ending the Irish Sea border, and accused the leadership of “over-egging” the Government’s proposed deal.
The insider was speaking after a Daily Telegraph report that UK negotiators had held secret talks with EU officials over possible “wriggle room” in Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal for Northern Ireland in a bid to end the DUP’s Stormont boycott.
The discussions in Brussels were part of a doomed effort to broker a last-minute deal with the party to restore devolution this week.
Senior British officials reportedly conceded there was no room for any renegotiation of the Windsor Framework, but asked for favourable language on the implementation of the green lane.
It was hoped that securing confirmation from Brussels that its officials agreed with the UK’s interpretation of the deal would help win the DUP around, according to the report.
The senior DUP source accused the leadership of “over-egging” what was on offer from the Government to restore devolution over recent months.
They questioned what Sir Jeffrey, Gavin Robinson and Emma Little-Pengelly “have actually been doing in the talks” in terms of ending the Irish Sea border.
The source claimed that party officers had been led to believe that a much better deal than the one emerging would be on the table.
A DUP spokesman denied the source’s allegation, adding: “We don’t recognise this. It’s untrue and without foundation.”
A Downing Street source told the Daily Telegraph it “did not recognise” the newspaper’s account of Government officials’ talks with Brussels and claimed it was based on limited information.
The Number 10 source said “significant and substantive progress” had been made “with the goal of strengthening the UK internal market and future-proofing Northern Ireland’s place in the economic union”.
Meanwhile, MLAs failed to elect a speaker as the Assembly was again recalled yesterday.
The Secretary of State has said it is time for politicians here to take the decision to restore devolution.
Chris Heaton-Harris acknowledged that today’s strike would be disruptive for people across Northern Ireland, but defended his decision not to intervene.
“While public sector pay is devolved, the UK Government has offered a fair and generous package worth over £3bn which would address public sector pay and provides more than £1bn to stabilise public services,” he said.
“This will require ministers being back to work in Stormont so that decisions on governing can be taken in the round.
“I am deeply disappointed that the significant funding offer from the UK Government to address such issues has not been taken up.”
The Secretary of State said it was regrettable that the parties were yesterday unable to elect an Assembly speaker and restore the executive.
“The people of Northern Ireland deserve local political leadership from representatives they have elected to govern on their behalf.
“The UK Government has made a significant offer that would help address the challenges facing public sector pay and Northern Ireland’s finances.
“It is time for the parties to take decisions on how they will best serve the interests of the people.”
by Enflamed-Pancake
6 comments
No surprises here, meaningfully changing the Protocol/Windsor Framework was not within the realm of possibility, and as the UK government moves ever closer to a difficult general election, the woes of this corner will continue to dwindle in importance.
Just wish Donaldson would state a fucking opinion rather than hanging onto “We’re talking it out, please give me more time to sit on my arse”
I think its clear that the DUP are probably going to try and hold out until an election is called. They can’t stand the idea that SF would be the 1st Minister, and they the Dep 1st Minister, even though they are the exact same.
Guarantee if there is an election and they end up being the biggest party, all of a sudden all their worries will vanish.
There needs to be reform to Stormont, so this shit stops happening.
🍆💦
It would be funny if the go into another election, a pack.is built between the other parties to take the DUP out all that together and they are smaller again
Starmer has no principles so when they come into power, if the DUP ask for it, labour will bend over backwards for them