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NI Election 2022: DUP say protocol protest a clear message to UK and EU NI Election 2022: DUP say protocol protest a clear message to UK and EU
(32 minutes later)
Sir Jeffrey said promises made in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol should have been delivered 16 months agoSir Jeffrey said promises made in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol should have been delivered 16 months ago
The DUP has sent a "clear message" to the government and EU that it is "serious about getting the protocol sorted", its leader has said.The DUP has sent a "clear message" to the government and EU that it is "serious about getting the protocol sorted", its leader has said.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson confirmed on Friday that he will not support the election of a new Stormont Speaker meaning the assembly can not sit.Sir Jeffrey Donaldson confirmed on Friday that he will not support the election of a new Stormont Speaker meaning the assembly can not sit.
The party has been protesting against post-Brexit trading arrangements.The party has been protesting against post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Speaking at Stormont, Sir Jeffrey said it was for the "prime minister now to outline what he intends to do".Speaking at Stormont, Sir Jeffrey said it was for the "prime minister now to outline what he intends to do".
Unionist politicians have protested against the Northern Ireland Protocol, a part of the UK-EU Brexit deal which keeps Northern Ireland aligned with the EU single market for goods.Unionist politicians have protested against the Northern Ireland Protocol, a part of the UK-EU Brexit deal which keeps Northern Ireland aligned with the EU single market for goods.
It was designed to ensure free trade could continue across the Irish border.It was designed to ensure free trade could continue across the Irish border.
On Thursday, the foreign secretary warned the UK will have "no choice but to act" if the EU does not show enough "flexibility" over the post-Brexit checks.On Thursday, the foreign secretary warned the UK will have "no choice but to act" if the EU does not show enough "flexibility" over the post-Brexit checks.
The UK Attorney General Suella Braverman said action to deal with issues caused by the protocol had become "painfully, apparently necessary".The UK Attorney General Suella Braverman said action to deal with issues caused by the protocol had become "painfully, apparently necessary".
Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, she did not deny reports the government had been provided with legal advice that it would be lawful to override parts of the Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland.Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, she did not deny reports the government had been provided with legal advice that it would be lawful to override parts of the Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Sir Jeffrey said it would "not be words that determine how we proceed, it will be actions".Sir Jeffrey said it would "not be words that determine how we proceed, it will be actions".
"The choice is clear if the European Union is serious about protecting the political institutions and the Belfast agreement, and its successor agreements then they know what to do."The choice is clear if the European Union is serious about protecting the political institutions and the Belfast agreement, and its successor agreements then they know what to do.
"Equally the same message is there for our own government as well."Equally the same message is there for our own government as well.
"The ball is firmly at the foot of the government.""The ball is firmly at the foot of the government."
Sir Jeffrey has argued the protocol has eroded the foundations "devolution has been built upon" and undermined Northern Ireland's position in the UK.Sir Jeffrey has argued the protocol has eroded the foundations "devolution has been built upon" and undermined Northern Ireland's position in the UK.
DUP threatens to stop assembly functioningDUP threatens to stop assembly functioning
What do voters think of the NI Protocol?What do voters think of the NI Protocol?
UK rejects EU plans to deal with NI ProtocolUK rejects EU plans to deal with NI Protocol
A simple guide to the Brexit border problemA simple guide to the Brexit border problem
Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill said the DUP's decision would "punish the public".Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill said the DUP's decision would "punish the public".
"They are disgracefully holding the public to ransom for their Brexit mess," she added."They are disgracefully holding the public to ransom for their Brexit mess," she added.
Ireland's foreign affairs minister, Simon Coveney, said the EU would not "renegotiate a treaty that has been signed, agreed and ratified" by the British government. Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said the EU had been flexible in its approach to the negotiations with the UK government, but this had not been reciprocated.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there were issues with the implementation of the protocol, but said unilateral action by the UK would damage its reputation. "There are issues that unionism have raised with us in respect of the protocol, but those issues should not prevent the establishment of the assembly," he added.
Meanwhile, The Guardian has reported that a delegation of US Congress members are to travel to hold talks on the protocol in Belfast, Dublin, London and Brussels.Meanwhile, The Guardian has reported that a delegation of US Congress members are to travel to hold talks on the protocol in Belfast, Dublin, London and Brussels.
DUP move things up a gearDUP move things up a gear
Without a Speaker, the Northern Ireland Assembly cannot meet or function.Without a Speaker, the Northern Ireland Assembly cannot meet or function.
It basically means, in the words of my colleague BBC Political Correspondent Jayne McCormack, that we have a "silent assembly".It basically means, in the words of my colleague BBC Political Correspondent Jayne McCormack, that we have a "silent assembly".
It is one of the few moves left open to the DUP to try and apply pressure.It is one of the few moves left open to the DUP to try and apply pressure.
In other words, the party is saying to London and Brussels you can have the protocol or Stormont - but you can't have both.In other words, the party is saying to London and Brussels you can have the protocol or Stormont - but you can't have both.
This is a big gamble for the DUP in the hope there will be movement on the protocol to allow the party to return to Stormont.This is a big gamble for the DUP in the hope there will be movement on the protocol to allow the party to return to Stormont.
What if there is no change? How long will the party stay away from the assembly and the executive? How will the public react?What if there is no change? How long will the party stay away from the assembly and the executive? How will the public react?
What of the fact that a majority of MLAs support the protocol and does this look like the DUP are holding people to ransom?What of the fact that a majority of MLAs support the protocol and does this look like the DUP are holding people to ransom?
This is the DUP moving things up a gear.This is the DUP moving things up a gear.
Read more here.Read more here.
What happens if no Speaker is elected?What happens if no Speaker is elected?
Without a Speaker there can be no debates, no committees, nor private member's bills or assembly scrutiny of ministersWithout a Speaker there can be no debates, no committees, nor private member's bills or assembly scrutiny of ministers
There can also be no election of the first and deputy first ministersThere can also be no election of the first and deputy first ministers
Current ministers can continue to oversee their departments in a caretaker capacity, however, their powers are limited without being part of an executiveCurrent ministers can continue to oversee their departments in a caretaker capacity, however, their powers are limited without being part of an executive
The DUP, now Northern Ireland's second-largest party by assembly seats after the election, had previously said it would not nominate ministers to form a new governing executive until its concerns about the protocol were resolved.The DUP, now Northern Ireland's second-largest party by assembly seats after the election, had previously said it would not nominate ministers to form a new governing executive until its concerns about the protocol were resolved.
The election cemented a majority for assembly members who accept the protocol, including the new largest party, the republican party Sinn Féin, which is entitled to nominate a first minister.The election cemented a majority for assembly members who accept the protocol, including the new largest party, the republican party Sinn Féin, which is entitled to nominate a first minister.
But as it is a joint office, the DUP must also nominate a deputy first minister.But as it is a joint office, the DUP must also nominate a deputy first minister.
On Friday, Michelle O'Neill said it was "shameful" that there would be no executive or assembly.On Friday, Michelle O'Neill said it was "shameful" that there would be no executive or assembly.
"Today is the day we should be forming an executive to put money in peoples pockets and to start to fix our health service," she tweeted."Today is the day we should be forming an executive to put money in peoples pockets and to start to fix our health service," she tweeted.
"The DUP have confirmed they will punish the public and not turn up.""The DUP have confirmed they will punish the public and not turn up."
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described the situation as "incredibly frustrating".Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described the situation as "incredibly frustrating".
"If they're not willing to get into government, the UK government needs to adjust the law in order that the rest of us can do our jobs," she told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster."If they're not willing to get into government, the UK government needs to adjust the law in order that the rest of us can do our jobs," she told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster.
"No party should be able to lock us out of government and when you play with fire, you will get burned.""No party should be able to lock us out of government and when you play with fire, you will get burned."
Most politicians elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly want the protocol to remainMost politicians elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly want the protocol to remain
Colin McGrath, of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said the DUP leader would try to "cover his tracks for not doing what any democratic society asks people to do".Colin McGrath, of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said the DUP leader would try to "cover his tracks for not doing what any democratic society asks people to do".
"The DUP will throw everything they can today to try and defend their indefensible actions," he added."The DUP will throw everything they can today to try and defend their indefensible actions," he added.
The Ulster Unionist Party's (UUP) Andy Allen said he understood the DUP's position, but did not agree with the steps they are taking.The Ulster Unionist Party's (UUP) Andy Allen said he understood the DUP's position, but did not agree with the steps they are taking.
"People will come to harm, people will be impacted as a result of that and there needs to be a long hard look at that," he explained."People will come to harm, people will be impacted as a result of that and there needs to be a long hard look at that," he explained.
GOVERNMENT CRISIS: What happens next?GOVERNMENT CRISIS: What happens next?
DOMINANCE TO DECLINE: The fall of the UUP and SDLPDOMINANCE TO DECLINE: The fall of the UUP and SDLP
HISTORIC MOMENT: From IRA politics to NI's biggest partyHISTORIC MOMENT: From IRA politics to NI's biggest party
SINN FEIN: What does the party want?SINN FEIN: What does the party want?
THE ASSEMBLY: How power-sharing works in Northern IrelandTHE ASSEMBLY: How power-sharing works in Northern Ireland
RESULTS: The assembly election in maps and chartsRESULTS: The assembly election in maps and charts