Northern Ireland

DUP must 'dismantle' north-south relationships over Northern Ireland Protocol

Pacemaker Press 31/10/2018 (Copy Paul Higgins).Jamie Bryson attends Newtonards Court on Wednesday..Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson was in court today (wed) seeking the return of property which police seized from him during an investigation into the illegal supply of door staff...Last August, the prominent loyalist was arrested by police under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 as they investigated alleged criminality linked to the UVF in east Belfast. ..Working alongside the Security Industry Authority, searches were conducted at two residential addresses in Bangor and Donaghadee, as well as an office premises in Newtownards where they seized a number of items including a BB gun, laptops, and iPad, documents and camouflage clothing. ..Although arrested, Mr Bryson was later freed without charge and posted on online video lambasting his arrest as ❝absurd.❝..At Newtownards Magistrates Court today (wed) and representing himself, Mr Bryson formally lodged an application to have that property returned to him by the PSNI Chief Constable...He argued that despite the search being conducted under a PSNI warrant, ❝I say that this is an SIA investigation, not the police, and they have no powers to hand the SIA the materials.❝..He claimed that some items were seized by the SIA, despite them having no powers to do so, while other items taken by the PSNI were handed over to the SIA who took them to their offices at Canary Wharf in London. .Pic Pacemaker..
Pacemaker Press 31/10/2018 (Copy Paul Higgins).Jamie Bryson attends Newtonards Court on Wednesday..Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson was in court today (wed) seeking the return of property which police seized from him during an investigation into the illegal Pacemaker Press 31/10/2018 (Copy Paul Higgins).Jamie Bryson attends Newtonards Court on Wednesday..Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson was in court today (wed) seeking the return of property which police seized from him during an investigation into the illegal supply of door staff...Last August, the prominent loyalist was arrested by police under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 as they investigated alleged criminality linked to the UVF in east Belfast. ..Working alongside the Security Industry Authority, searches were conducted at two residential addresses in Bangor and Donaghadee, as well as an office premises in Newtownards where they seized a number of items including a BB gun, laptops, and iPad, documents and camouflage clothing. ..Although arrested, Mr Bryson was later freed without charge and posted on online video lambasting his arrest as ❝absurd.❝..At Newtownards Magistrates Court today (wed) and representing himself, Mr Bryson formally lodged an application to have that property returned to him by the PSNI Chief Constable...He argued that despite the search being conducted under a PSNI warrant, ❝I say that this is an SIA investigation, not the police, and they have no powers to hand the SIA the materials.❝..He claimed that some items were seized by the SIA, despite them having no powers to do so, while other items taken by the PSNI were handed over to the SIA who took them to their offices at Canary Wharf in London. .Pic Pacemaker..
By Connla Young

The DUP must 'dismantle' north-south relationships while the Northern Ireland Protocol remains in place, a leading loyalist has claimed.

Jamie Bryson spoke out after newly installed DUP leader Edwin Poots confirmed his party will attend the next North South Ministerial Council meeting.

In recent months his party has failed to take part in several cross-border political meetings, having made clear that north-south co-operation would be affected amid its campaign against the Irish Sea border.

Earlier this week Mr Poots denied boycotting the meetings in protest over the protocol.

After confirming that the party will now take part in future meetings Mr Bryson took to Twitter to vent his anger.

"There is literally no words which can describe how contemptible this capitulation is," he wrote.

"Tone deaf to the reality of Unionist anger."

Speaking to the Irish News last night he continued to criticise the move.

"It's entirely foolish for anybody to believe that making the protocol synonymous with stability is a way to get rid of it," he said.

"They are going to actually do the opposite and will allow the protocol to embed."

Mr Bryson argued that north-south arrangements need to be set aside.

"So if the DUP are genuine and serious about fighting the protocol then they have to ensure that the dismantling of all north south relationships while the protocol remains," he said.

"This flip flopping, facing both directions in terms of the approach to what they are going to do in relation to north south, in relation to the Irish language and the institutions - they are running out of path with it essentially and its make your choice time.

"Are they going to fight the protocol or are they going to implement the protocol?

"They need to decide which it is."

Mr Bryson urged the DUP to adopt a firm position.

"Edwin Poots has done some good things since he took over especially as regards to the loyalist engagement," he said.

"But the DUP need to adopt a position and stand by it.

"The DUP need to decide which way they are facing.

"If the DUP stands in the middle of the road they are going to get hit in both directions, they need to decide which way the are facing."

The DUP was contacted for comment.