Menu
30/01/2019
SDLP: Govt Has 'Rejected The Will' Of Northern Ireland
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has hit out at Prime Minister Theresa May's government for allowing "the dissolution of the Irish backstop" in order to progress Brexit negotiations.
The House of Commons last night approved a proposal to return to the EU and seek legal amendments to the backstop in a bid to strengthen the UK's negotiating position and break the current deadlock.
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionists supported the plan to change the border provision, while Sinn Fein, the SDLP, Alliance and the Green Party have repeatedly expressed the importance of "banking the backstop".
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Eastwood said: "London have decided that the interests of the people in Northern Ireland are secondary to the needs of the Conservative Party.
"The rejection of the Irish Backstop, the only viable mechanism to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland, is an affront on the Good Friday Agreement.
"Let me be clear, the people of Northern Ireland did not consent to this.
The Foyle MLA added: "We will continue to engage with the Irish Government to ensure that the Backstop, as reiterated by Brussels, will not be undermined in the slightest."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard commented that Westminster must "wake up" to the fact that the backstop cannot be scrapped.
(JG/CM)
The House of Commons last night approved a proposal to return to the EU and seek legal amendments to the backstop in a bid to strengthen the UK's negotiating position and break the current deadlock.
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionists supported the plan to change the border provision, while Sinn Fein, the SDLP, Alliance and the Green Party have repeatedly expressed the importance of "banking the backstop".
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Eastwood said: "London have decided that the interests of the people in Northern Ireland are secondary to the needs of the Conservative Party.
"The rejection of the Irish Backstop, the only viable mechanism to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland, is an affront on the Good Friday Agreement.
"Let me be clear, the people of Northern Ireland did not consent to this.
The Foyle MLA added: "We will continue to engage with the Irish Government to ensure that the Backstop, as reiterated by Brussels, will not be undermined in the slightest."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard commented that Westminster must "wake up" to the fact that the backstop cannot be scrapped.
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 January 2019
Brexit: SDLP Urge Parliament To Secure Backstop
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has written to both the Conservative and Labour Party leaders amid the ongoing Brexit chaos, urging them to uphold the backstop mechanism within the Withdrawal Agreement.
Brexit: SDLP Urge Parliament To Secure Backstop
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has written to both the Conservative and Labour Party leaders amid the ongoing Brexit chaos, urging them to uphold the backstop mechanism within the Withdrawal Agreement.
10 January 2019
Irish Foreign Minister Criticises Brexiteer Backstop 'Spin'
Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs has denied meddling in UK politics and insisted he has an obligation to challenge those "misrepresenting" what the Withdrawal Agreement means in practice. Simon Coveney added that he does not have an anti-British bone in his body and wants to be a "candid friend" to Ireland's closest neighbour.
Irish Foreign Minister Criticises Brexiteer Backstop 'Spin'
Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs has denied meddling in UK politics and insisted he has an obligation to challenge those "misrepresenting" what the Withdrawal Agreement means in practice. Simon Coveney added that he does not have an anti-British bone in his body and wants to be a "candid friend" to Ireland's closest neighbour.
04 February 2019
PM To Visit NI In Hope Of Winning Brexit Support
Prime Minister Theresa May is set to visit Northern Ireland tomorrow, 05 February, in a bid to win support for her revised Brexit strategy. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, Mrs May will address business leaders in a speech centred upon the crucial Irish border issue.
PM To Visit NI In Hope Of Winning Brexit Support
Prime Minister Theresa May is set to visit Northern Ireland tomorrow, 05 February, in a bid to win support for her revised Brexit strategy. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, Mrs May will address business leaders in a speech centred upon the crucial Irish border issue.
05 December 2018
DUP: Brexit Backstop Is Totally Unacceptable To Unionists
DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds has said the backstop within Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed withdrawal agreement is "totally unacceptable to unionists" and must be defeated in the House of Commons.
DUP: Brexit Backstop Is Totally Unacceptable To Unionists
DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds has said the backstop within Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed withdrawal agreement is "totally unacceptable to unionists" and must be defeated in the House of Commons.
01 February 2019
NI's Pro-Remain Parties Unite To Support Backstop
Northern Ireland's remain-supporting political parties, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Alliance and the Green Party, have issued a joint statement detailing the need to bank the backstop. It comes in the wake of Parliament's support for the Brady amendment that calls for the planned Irish backstop to be replaced by "alternative arrangements".
NI's Pro-Remain Parties Unite To Support Backstop
Northern Ireland's remain-supporting political parties, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Alliance and the Green Party, have issued a joint statement detailing the need to bank the backstop. It comes in the wake of Parliament's support for the Brady amendment that calls for the planned Irish backstop to be replaced by "alternative arrangements".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
