N Ireland first minister quits over post-Brexit trade rules
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- 04 Feb 2022
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Northern Ireland’s first minister has resigned as tensions over the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union triggered a fresh political crisis in the region.
Paul Givan stepped aside on Thursday after one of his ministers tried to block the inspection of goods arriving from other parts of the UK – a move that violates the Brexit agreement between the UK and the European Union.
“Today marks the end of what has been the privilege of my lifetime,” Givan, who spent less than a year as chief minister in the region’s devolved government, told a news conference.
The Brexit deal is roiling Northern Ireland once again because of disagreements about language designed to keep trade flowing on the island of Ireland.
Under the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, the UK agreed to inspect some goods entering Northern Ireland from England, Scotland and Wales. That angered many in Northern Ireland because it creates a barrier between the region and other parts of the UK.
“Our institutions are being tested once again,” Givan said as he resigned. They have “been impacted by the agreement made by the United Kingdom government and the European Union, which created the Northern Ireland Protocol.”
Northern Ireland is governed by a power-sharing executive created by agreements that ended decades of sectarian conflict in the region.
‘Extremely disappointing’
Givan was a representative of the largest party of voters who want to retain close ties to Britain, the Democratic Unionist Party. He shared power with Michelle O’Neill, the deputy first minister who represents Sinn Fein, which seeks to strengthen links to the Republic of Ireland.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald immediately called for new elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Elections are scheduled to be held in May.
“We cannot stagger on in the months ahead without a functioning executive, and Sinn Fein will not facilitate this,” McDonald said. Opinion polls suggest Sinn Fein will pass the DUP to become Northern Ireland’s largest party for the first time.
Brandon Lewis, the British government’s Northern Ireland secretary described Givan’s decision as “extremely disappointing”. Read More…
