The Conservatives want Northern Ireland out of the UK, a veteran unionist politician has said amid concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements. / Lord Kilclooney levelled the claim as the Tory Government was urged to be honest about the impact of a revamped deal with Brussels, which critics argue retains a border in the Irish Sea.
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee he was worried that the process of transition of paramilitary groups towards civilianisation had halted while concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements remained.
Loyalist paramilitaries cannot be allowed to gain "a momentum" from the Northern Ireland Protocol dispute, MPs have been told.
Confidential papers from Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker show move to renegotiate protocol agreement
24/11/2022
Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker is seeking to renegotiate part of the Brexit trade agreement to fix problems caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Ireland's Future: Speakers from Protestant backgrounds say they gave more serious consideration to Irish unity after Brexit - Leo Varadkar urged to establish a citizens’ assembly on Irish unity
24/11/2022
Leo Varadkar has been urged to establish a citizens’ assembly on Irish unity when he returns to the office of Taoiseach next month.
Tension within loyalist communities is greater than at any point since the ceasefires of 1994, the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader has said.
The impact of the UK’s departure from the EU and the continuing tensions over the Northern Ireland protocol have reinforced the concept of a united Ireland for many.
IRISH passport holders in Northern Ireland have increased by two-thirds, according to the latest census.
Northern Ireland’s second-biggest political party says it will block the formation of a working Belfast legislature, deepening political deadlock over post-Brexit trade rules.
Pro-unionist politicians on Monday lost an appeal against a High Court judgment that the Northern Ireland protocol governing post-Brexit trade was consistent with British and European Union law.
Pro-unionist politicians on Monday lost an appeal against a High Court judgment that the Northern Ireland protocol governing post-Brexit trade was consistent with British and European Union law.
Loyalists who are opposed to the Northern Ireland Protocol “haven’t got a clue” about how it works, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said.
The Progressive Unionist Party, which is politically aligned to the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force, has said there is “no basis” for unionists to continue to support the Good Friday Agreement peace accord.
Earlier this week, a bus was burnt out in Newtownards in an attack politicians linked to loyalist opposition to the protocol.
“Do you not find it a little embarrassing that you're renegotiating it across such a wide area so soon after it was signed by the government and approved by this Parliament?” - "Not really".
Brexit Protocol brings huge cross-border trade boost with Northern Ireland exports up 61%
21/06/2021
Cross-border trade has received a massive boost since the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, according to figures published by the UK Government.
Renouncing principles would be ‘astonishing’ move by UK, says French foreign minister.
Northern Ireland protocol should be replaced, chair of Loyalist Communities Council tells MPs
Unionists feel worst ‘sense of hurt’ for 35 years, Loyalist Communities Council tells MPs.
Downing Street says post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol in current form should be scrapped
17/05/2021
Downing Street has said the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol cannot continue in its current form and that it should be “urgently” changed.
LOYALISTS held further white-line protests and demonstrations against the Northern Ireland Protocol over the weekend.
The list of bizarre things Boris Johnson is proposing to do to an international treaty he negotiated is growing. The target of these notions is the Northern Ireland protocol, which parliament ratified as part of the UK-EU withdrawal agreement more than a year ago.
Police are monitoring tensions at the peace wall gates at the Shankill Road and Lanark Way as fresh loyalist protests break out in parts of Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland secretary quizzed for 60 minutes on Boris Johnson's 'broken' Brexit trade promises
13/04/2021
NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY Brandon Lewis has been questioned by MPs from the DUP and Labour over Boris Johnson’s previous statements that his Brexit deal would not result in checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and how they may have fed into unionist and loyalist frustrations and anger in recent days.
Boris Johnson told to 'face consequences' of Brexit deal as it's blamed over Belfast riots
13/04/2021
Labour said the PM had 'squandered' Unionists' trust as Northern Ireland Secretary admitted 'concerns' about the Brexit deal were among factors in the unrest.