Ulster Unionist Finance spokesperson Philip Smith MLA has questioned whether the penny has finally dropped with the DUP over the impact Brexit will have on Northern Ireland.

Philip Smith MLA said:

“Issues the Ulster Unionist Party highlighted during the EU referendum campaign which the DUP dismissed as scare-mongering are now accepted as key areas for concern.  Looking at the issues raised in the letter to the Prime Minister around free movement, access to the Single Market, the impact on the Agri-food sector and loss of EU funds, it would appear the First Ministers are proposing an “I can’t believe it’s not the EU” model. 

“Yesterday’s letter to the Prime Minister from the First and deputy First Ministers exposes the lack of pre-Brexit planning on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. It also forces the question, did the DUP campaign for Brexit but hope for Remain?

“At no time during the Brexit campaign did the DUP raise any of the fears outlined in this letter to the Prime Minister.  Has the penny only dropped now or did the DUP feel that these were risks worth taking during the campaign but now reality bites they share our concerns about the potential impact on Northern Ireland?

“I welcome the First Ministers’ acceptance of the reality of Brexit and its implications for Northern Ireland if current levels of EU funding cannot be replicated from Westminster and continued access to EU markets secured. But why has this conversion taken until now and why did the DUP gloss over these major issues during their campaign?

“Even though she got the result she wanted, Arlene Foster was caught like a rabbit in the headlights on this and has been acting like the First Minister for Tetchiness ever since.”