Boris Johnson prepared to invoke Article 16
UK Prime Minister may implement key element of Northern Ireland Protocol to ensure that there is no barrier down the Irish Sea.
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has said he is prepared to invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol to “ensure there is no barrier down the Irish Sea”, reports the Irish Times. DUP MP Ian Paisley, representing North Antrim, said people in Northern Ireland are being made to “feel like foreigners in our own country” by post-Brexit rules.
Addressing Mr Johnson, he said: “Prime Minister, you say that your commitment to Northern Ireland is unshakeable. But I speak for all of my constituents today when I tell you that the Protocol has betrayed us…” His statement comes soon after the withdrawal of inspection staff from Larne and Belfast Harbours after threats were made against them.
Graffiti referring to employees as “targets” — a highly-charged word in the Province — has appeared in several areas around the ports and staff have reported suspicious activity after persons unknown attempted to record the car registration numbers of port staff. The UK environment secretary said the issue was a security matter for the police in Northern Ireland who are working very closely with the Northern Ireland office.
