‘Get rid of protocol via backdoor!’ EU multitasking failure to help deliver better Brexit

Northern Irish Minister demands 'get rid of protocol via backdoor!'

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Political Commentator Dr John Coulter warned the risk of invasion in Ukraine could spark the Northern Ireland protocol being dropped by the European Union due to priorities in their agenda. Speaking to GB News, Dr Coulter said: “I think that Lord Frost and Liz Truss, you could say there were having a full-frontal assault on the Northern Ireland protocol.

“What we’re seeing here with Edwin Poots is a stab in the back to the protocol.

“He claims that he has legal go ahead to do this here and this has major implications.

“I think what we’ve really got to take into consideration is how this all plays out with the Ukrainian situation.

“Basically, four member states border Ukraine and if President Putin decides to invade Ukraine then Ukraine moves to the top of the EU’s agenda.

“The EU isn’t really known for multitasking in terms of political crises.

“It will have one at a time, that means that the protocol moves to the bottom of the agenda and ironically, this could be to Northern Ireland’s advantage.

“If the protocol moves to the bottom agenda, this is a way of getting rid of the protocol via the backdoor.

“The whole of Ireland and the UK must keep an eye on what is happening in Ukraine because Ukraine could have a major implication for the future of the protocol.”

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It comes as Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan is expected to announce his resignation later on Thursday.

The move is part of the party’s protest strategy against the Brexit-related Northern Ireland Protocol and follows his DUP ministerial colleague Edwin Poots’s decision to order a halt to agri-food checks at the region’s ports.

It is understood senior DUP figures met on Thursday to confirm the timing and details of Mr Givan’s resignation statement.

An announcement is expected on Thursday afternoon, a senior party source said.

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The source said Mr Givan’s resignation would be effective from Thursday.

The latest twists in the protocol controversy are playing out as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic are due to meet on Thursday to discuss progress in their ongoing negotiations aimed at reducing the Brexit barriers on Irish Sea trade.

The resignation of the First Minister would automatically remove Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill from office.

In those circumstances, other ministers in the administration could still remain in place. However, the Executive could not meet or make any significant decisions.

That would prevent the coalition from agreeing a three-year budget – a spending plan that is currently out for public consultation.

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