Ulster Unionist MLA, Doug Beattie MC has stated that the DUP`s U-turn on a border in the Irish Sea will cause economic and constitutional damage to Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“Arlene Foster’s claims that a grand committee of local MPs could decide whether Northern Ireland aligns with EU or UK rules if Stormont remains suspended demonstrates that the DUP are making it up as they go along. Only days ago Downing Street sources were saying that Northern Ireland would be subjected to another referendum if devolution wasn’t restored. It can’t be both, but it does demonstrate that the Foster/Johnson plan hasn’t been properly thought through. The DUP are flying by the seat of their pants.

“These proposals, and the uncertainty which they bring, will cause constitutional and economic damage to Northern Ireland. Not only have the DUP done a complete U-turn on a border in the Irish Sea, but Northern Ireland will still come under the jurisdiction of EU Courts while the rest of the UK moves on. The DUP repeatedly claimed the UK would leave the EU as one nation in the same way we joined. This deal separates and segregates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK as we would leave under different terms.

“As is typical the DUP, they are now engaged in trying to spread the blame. This common DUP trait was exposed at the RHI inquiry and now they are trying to distract from another slew of broken DUP promises about maintaining the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.

“The DUP claimed that they had power and influence in Westminster. But with that comes responsibility and it is they who are responsible for putting a border in the Irish Sea. It is feeble and pathetic of them to try and portray others as having responsibility for the DUP’s decision to put a border in the Irish Sea, undermining the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.”