RISHI SUNAK was given early hope today that the hardline Democratic Unionist Party may not torpedo his breakthrough post-Brexit trade deal for Northern Ireland.
With the Prime Minister in Belfast to start selling his agreement with the EU, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson signalled cautious support for the “Stormont brake”, which gives Northern Ireland politicians a block on changes to Brussels laws which may affect NI trade.
The DUP’s view of the agreement, announced by Mr Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday, is critical as to whether it will secure the backing of hardline Eurosceptic Tory MPs who have long argued that the Northern Ireland Protocol undermines UK sovereignty.
While some prominent Brexiteers including ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis and Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker have given the deal their support, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has yet to declare his position.
The European Research Group of Tory backbenchers was due to meet today and will convene its “star chamber” of lawyers to scrutinise the deal.
This story is from the February 28, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the February 28, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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