AN SDLP Assembly member has criticised the questioning of new DUP leader Edwin Poots on yesterday's Andrew Marr Show.
Matthew O'Toole, the party's MLA for South Belfast, said "distortions and exaggerations" from Mr Poots on the BBC1 TV programme had gone "totally unchallenged".
"Did Marr ask him about his unilateral decision to stand down ports staff based on hearsay from unnamed 'stakeholders' about threats?" asked Mr O'Toole.
"No, he lobbed him another opportunity to talk up violence."
During the interview, Mr Poots was asked about comments by EU president Ursula von Der Leyen that the protocol was "the only possible solution to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland" and what his alternative was
In response, Mr Poots said: "We have violence on our streets that hasn't been the case for years and that's on the back of this protocol."
Meanwhile, party leader Colum Eastwood has described an EU offer on the protocol as "the first key test for the new DUP leadership".
He has called on the DUP leader to support the solution being offered that would automatically remove 80 per cent of checks overnight.
On the Andrew Marr programme, EU Commissioner Maroš Šef?ovi? said the EU was willing to sign up to a Swiss-style veterinary agreement with the UK.
However, Mr Eastwood said Mr Poots had given a "knee jerk dismissal of this offer".
He added: "The current EU-Swiss deal has been operating since January 2009 - 12 years ago. By describing this solution as temporary, Edwin Poots is either ill-informed or he is deliberately ignoring the solution in front of him."
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill has said the DUP need to make it clear there is no place for violence in society over Brexit.
"Brexit is not an excuse for violence and the DUP leader and all those in positions of leadership within unionism need to come out clearly and state that there can be no place for threats of violence in our society,” she said.
"Any difficulties being faced by businesses or traders are a direct result of the Brexit the DUP campaigned for, and now must take responsibility for.
“The protocol, while imperfect. must be implemented and no credible alternative exists which protects the Good Friday Agreement, all-Ireland economy and prevents a hard border on the island."
