PM Slammed For Undermining NI Interests

The SDLP has slammed Prime Minister Theresa May for undermining the interests of Northern Ireland with her Brexit strategy.

It comes in the wake of accusations that the Conservative party leader was planning to make amendments to the Good Friday Agreement in order to pursue her divorce deal from the EU.

Mrs May attempted to quash the speculation in a speech to the House of Commons on Monday 21 January and promised further talks with the DUP in relation to the border backstop, the measure which caused the Stormont party to vote down her deal last week.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, responding to the Prime Minister's remarks, said her commitment to the Good Friday Agreement is "superficial" and hit out at Parliament for "pandering" to the Democratic Unionists against the interests of Northern Irish citizens.

"Theresa May can't have it both ways. She cannot drag Northern Ireland out of the EU without agreeing the backstop and expect to avoid a hard border. The SDLP, the EU and the Irish Government are clear that the backstop is non-negotiable," the Foyle MLA explained.

"Despite people in Northern Ireland widely supporting it, the British Government continues to shamelessly pander to the DUP against the interests of people here.

"Today's statement proves only one point - that the British State is in chaos. Boxed into a corner, the Prime Minister is running out of time and running out of options; clinging to the DUP to help her hold onto power - despite the fact the DUP do not represent our interests nor the views of the majority of people in the North.

"We have reached a critical point and with that politicians here cannot simply point the finger. Sinn Féin, despite being gifted power to sit in Westminster, have abdicated their responsibilities. They have let the DUP take back control and silence the voice of Irish nationalism. Politicians now need to wield the power given to them to stop this Brexit chaos, that's both in Westminster and in Stormont. Time is up and compromising our peace and our freedoms on this island is not an option. The SDLP want to go back to Stormont, we want Irish voices fighting against the DUP and Tories."



(JG/CM)