Rishi Sunak says he is working “full steam” to reach a deal on Northern Ireland protocol, but warns that post-Brexit rules CANNOT threaten ties with the UK as he makes his first visit as prime minister.
<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Rishi Sunak insisted that he is working “at full steam” to reach an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol on his first visit as prime minister.
Speaking while touring the factory at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the prime minister said he was “committed” to making a breakthrough in talks with the EU.
But he warned that there are parts of the post-Brexit rules that cannot continue because they “threaten” ties with the UK.
Sunak held ‘introductory’ talks with the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson and Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill after his arrival last night.
Both urged him to push for a pact with Brussels that could allow for the restoration of power-sharing in Stormont and avoid the need for new elections.
The DUP has been blocking the functioning of both the executive and the assembly as part of its protest against post-Brexit trade rules, known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.
But hopes have risen for a deal with the EU to end the bitter dispute.
Speaking while touring the factory at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the prime minister said he was “committed” to making a breakthrough in talks with the EU.
Mr Sunak held ‘introductory’ talks with the DUP’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill after his arrival last night.
Sunak said this morning: ‘I am really committed to solving some of the problems with (Northern Ireland’s) protocol, protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the union, in the UK, and in doing so restoring the Executive.
‘That’s what the people of Northern Ireland need and deserve and that’s what I’m working flat out to try to deliver.
‘I have not set a strict deadline for the talks (between the government and the EU) and I do not want to raise people’s expectations of an imminent breakthrough.
‘What I can tell you is that I am very committed to solving this problem.
“The Foreign Secretary met with his counterpart this week, talks are ongoing and I will work as hard and as fast as I can to find a solution to the problems with the protocol.
I want to do it as soon as practically possible.
Sunak said there are parts of the protocol that threaten Northern Ireland’s place within the union.
He said: ‘I am not going to give a continuing comment on the negotiations, it would not be appropriate.
‘What is of paramount importance to me is protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the union.
‘The protocol, clearly there are areas that threaten that.
I want to resolve them and I want to protect Northern Ireland’s place in the union.
That is what I propose to do. If we can do that, we can get the Executive up and running, that’s what the people need and deserve.’
Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance Party, Doug Beattie of the UUP and Colum Eastwood of the SDLP also attended last night’s talks in Belfast.
Downing Street described them as an “introductory meeting and informal discussions” with Northern Ireland’s political leaders.
Naomi Long, the leader of the Alliance Party, also attended last night’s talks in Belfast.
Mr Sunak is shown the Harland & Wolff shipyard factory in Belfast this morning