Northern Ireland

Mixed political reaction to loyalist withdrawal of support for GFA

Jim Wilson, Jackie McDonald, Winston Irvine and David Campbell of the Loyalist Communities Council. Picture by Mal McCann
Jim Wilson, Jackie McDonald, Winston Irvine and David Campbell of the Loyalist Communities Council. Picture by Mal McCann Jim Wilson, Jackie McDonald, Winston Irvine and David Campbell of the Loyalist Communities Council. Picture by Mal McCann

FIRST minister Arlene Foster has stressed the need to use constitutional means to oppose the Northern Ireland Protocol after loyalist paramilitary groups said they were withdrawing support for the Good Friday Agreement.

The Loyalist Communities Council, representing the views of the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, revealed the decision in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The letter has also been forwarded to the taoiseach Micheál Martin, warning they could no longer support the 1998 peace accord due to anger over the Irish Sea border created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

David Campbell, chairman of the LCC, told the BBC's Newsnight programme that Mr Johnson has "reneged on the clear promises he made to the people of Northern Ireland that there would be unfettered access" to Britain.

"So we are asking him and holding him to account and through this letter showing him that it is not just rhetoric from our parliamentary spokespersons that he has to be mindful of, but the strong grassroots anger that is palpable throughout the ground in Northern Ireland."

Answering questions at the weekly Executive press conference yesterday, First Minister Arlene Foster said she did not have advance notice of the letter, despite meeting with the LCC last week.

"It's not surprising to me after having met the LCC this day last week they were very clear about the difficulties with the protocol," she said.

"I had not seen the letter before it went and why would I - this is a letter coming from the LCC to the prime minister and to the Taoiseach.

"I do welcome the fact that they have said they will use peaceful and democratic means, I very much welcome that.

"It's so important that we deal with matters through politics and through the constitutional way of dealing with issues, whether that's through politics or through the courts or whatever. I think that that is to be welcomed."

However, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill criticised the loyalist groupings and questioned their ongoing existence.

"I think the question that needs to be answered is, 23 years after the Good Friday Agreement, why loyalist paramilitary groups still exist, way they're still carrying out organised crime, racketeering and extortion, holding communities to ransom.

"I think everybody in political leadership has a responsibility to encourage and to tell these groups to leave the stage. There is no place for them in today's society."

Progressive Unionist Party councillor Dr John Kyle said there was an “absolute commitment to non-violence” but added that “it’s far too early to know how to interpret" the letter.

"It is premature to assume it means walking away from non-violence."

Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry, said the the move a symbolic gesture.

“It has no practical consequences. The agreement stands on the basis of the dual referendums in 1998.

"I am more concerned at the continued escalation of rhetoric and building of unrealistic expectations that the protocol can be replaced in the absence of a plausible alternative.

“It is also concerning that what is essentially a voice for proscribed terrorist organisations is becoming an actor in a political debate.”

Asked about the letter yesterday, Mr Johnson said: "I haven't seen, I don't know which groups you're talking about".

He added: "But what I can say is we're taking some temporary technical measures to insure that there are no barriers in the Irish Sea or to make sure that things flow freely from GB to NI and that's what you'd expect.

"But obviously these are matters for continuing intensive discussions with our friends.

"I'm sure with a bit of goodwill and common sense all these technical problems are eminently solvable."

Earlier, the prime minister's official spokesperson also said he was "fully committed to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement".