DUP Alone In Support For Parliamentary Suspension

DUP Leader Arlene Foster has sparked criticism after she welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to suspend Parliament.

The party, with 10 MPs acting as allies to Boris Johnson through the confidence and supply agreement, is the only Stormont party to support the controversial move.

The government has asked the Queen to suspend Parliament just days after MPs return to work early next month and just weeks before the Brexit deadline, meaning very little time will remain to pass laws to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow is reported to have branded the move a "constitutional outrage".

Some political leaders in Northern Ireland have described the development as a Parliamentary coup and hit out at the DUP for endorsing it.

Arlene Foster said it has been the longest Parliamentary Session since the Union of England and Scotland in 1707. Her party will review its confidence and supply agreement propping up the minority Conservative-led government before MPs return in October.

She said today: "We welcome the decision to hold a Queen's Speech marking the start of a new session of Parliament on 14 October where the Government will set out its new domestic legislative agenda.

"As outlined in the Confidence and Supply Agreement in 2017, the terms of that Agreement will also be reviewed in advance of the new Session. We originally envisaged that being after two years. This will be an opportunity to ensure our priorities align with those of the Government.

"In the meantime, we will continue our work with the Prime Minister to strengthen the Union, deliver a sensible deal as we exit the EU and restore devolution in Northern Ireland.

"The new session of Parliament will set a new domestic legislative programme which can deal with the matters most important to people such as their safety, their schools and their hospitals."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann MLA said the proroguing of Parliament is "an abuse of process" and risks undermining public confidence in Westminster.

He said in a statement today: "We need to see an end to the plotting from both sides in Westminster and that replaced by politicians focused on getting a deal so that the United Kingdom leaves the EU in an orderly fashion. Otherwise the people of Northern Ireland will be caught in the middle."

The SDLP said the move creates a need for local MPs to take a stand against the "tin-pot dictator" actions of Mr Johnson.

"Boris Johnson has stepped far outside the acceptable norms for a functioning democracy and he must be reined in," party leader Colum Eastwood said today.

"This is a moment for political courage. Every MP should take a stand in this moment, to defend the interests of people across these islands but particularly in the North where businesses and border communities will suffer the most as a result of a no-deal coup.

"There is now a compelling democratic imperative to stop Johnson and stop this Brexit."

Alliance branded the Prime Minister's request and its support from the DUP as a "cowardly and outrageous move", akin to something seen in an authoritarian state.

Leader Naomi Long said: "It is the desperate act of a Prime Minister who knows Parliament opposes a no deal but who will attempt to push it through regardless. He has no mandate for this and has ploughed on ahead, despite knowing the consequences of Brexit in general and no deal in particular. Efforts must continue to prevent that scenario."

Ms Long said the DUP endorsement of a parliamentary suspension is "utterly appalling" and accused the party of ignoring Northern Ireland's best interests.

Sinn Fein perceived the development as a clear demonstration of intent to force through a no-deal Brexit despite the consequences.

President Mary Lou McDonald commented: "It shows the arrogance of the British government and their contempt even for their own political institutions and it is very clear that Irish interests will never be protected at Westminster."



(JG/MH)