Nicholson hits out at SF President

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has hit out at Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald for suggesting that Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Northern Ireland was designed ‘to pick a fight with Ireland and to pick a fight with the European Union’.

Mr Nicholson said:

“For Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald to say that Prime Minister Theresa May visited Northern Ireland ‘to pick a fight with Ireland and to pick a fight with the European Union’ beggars belief.

“Sinn Fein don’t seriously think they can get away with criticising the Prime Minister for not visiting Northern Ireland and meeting border businesses and communities and simultaneously criticise Theresa May when she does just that?

“Theresa May has repeatedly vowed to deliver a Brexit that works for every part of the UK, including Northern Ireland.  The Prime Minister has also committed throughout this process to maintain the constitutional integrity of the UK and to ensure no hard border on the island of Ireland beyond Brexit - this visit is part of her efforts to deliver on these commitments.

“Unfortunately the Prime Minister’s willingness to work constructively with the Republic of Ireland and the EU27 to agree workable future arrangements for the Republic of Ireland/Northern Ireland border has not been mirrored in Dublin or Brussels.  Mr Barnier’s comments today are further proof of this.

“Sinn Fein also conveniently overlook how the lack of a functioning Assembly, and their role in bringing this about, leaves Northern Ireland at a distinct disadvantage in this process especially as the Brexit negotiations enter the latter stages.”  

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