DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has written the foreword to a new book on the Northern Ireland Protocol published by Jamie Bryson.
Entitled 'NI Constitutional Law: Acts of Union and NI Protocol', Mr Bryson said the 382-page book would "equip and empower the grassroots unionist/loyalist community to develop a deeper knowledge of constitutional law".
According to the Co Down-based blogger, the book is the first of a "NI constitutional law series", with further publications "focusing on key areas of constitutional law, relevant to Northern Ireland’s cherished place within the United Kingdom" planned over the next two years.
Published by Unionist Voice Publications Ltd, a company established by Mr Bryson to "facilitate and encourage the unionist/loyalist community to publish various literary contributions", the new book gathers "all the relevant legal materials relating to the protocol and its effect on Northern Ireland’s constitutional position".
According to the author, the book's "key materials" are accompanied by explanatory commentary, with the opening chapter providing a "detailed analysis of the Acts of Union, focusing on its development from 1800 and continued fundamental contemporary application".
In his foreword, Sir Jeffrey writes: “As a parliamentarian and committed unionist, I believe it is timely and necessary that grassroots unionists and loyalists familiarise themselves with our legislative heritage, including the constitutional law that impacts so much on our daily lives.
"If we are loyal to the union then we need to understand both the law that underpins that union and the new laws created by the protocol that threaten its viability."
Mr Bryson, said the book was a "response to the increased need for accessible resources to equip and empower the grassroots unionist/loyalist community to develop a deeper knowledge of constitutional law, and increase awareness of its fundamental principles, for the purpose of defending our precious union".
“In recent times there has been a patently obvious imbalance in publications relating to Northern Ireland’s constitutional position, especially from within established academia," he said.
"In relation to the protocol, the imbalance has been compounded and there is a danger that these publications take on the status of infallibility, when in truth many of the claims and conclusions are robustly contested, both politically and legally. It is important to take steps to correct that imbalance, by ensuring the pro union position is on the record."
He said the book has been written "on a not-for-profit basis", with all funds "reinvested into publishing pro-union material and providing constitutional law workshops, with particular focus on empowering the grassroots unionist/loyalist community".
