NI parties speak out after PM visit amid protocol standoff
Boris Johnson met with NI's biggest parties today (Monday) in Hillsborough.
Last updated 16th May 2022
Northern Ireland's political parties have spoken out after meeting individually with the Prime Minister in Hillsborough, Co Down.
The meetings come as an impasse over the Northern Ireland Protocol continues, with the DUP refusing to enter powersharing until so-called issues are resolved.
Tomorrow (Tuesday), it is rumoured that the UK Government will scrap parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement that require checks on goods arriving in Northern Ireland from GB, and today the PM urged parties to get back around the table together.
Sinn Fein was the first party to meet the Prime Minister at Hillsborough Castle on Monday afternoon.
Party president Mary Lou McDonald criticised the "very cynical antics of the Tory Government" as she arrived for the meeting and accused No 10 of "choreography" with the DUP over the latest Stormont crisis.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said that he "set out in very clear terms" to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson what is needed from the British Government in relation to the protocol.
"We cannot go on like this," the DUP leader said after meeting Mr Johnson.
"Clearly, we want a fully functioning executive and we want that to happen as soon as possible, and therefore, we're looking now to the Government.
"That's what we're looking for from our Government, from our Prime Minister, it's decisive action on the protocol.
"We've heard the words, now we need to see the action," he added.
Alliance's Deputy Leader Stephen Farry also met with Mr Johnson.
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