SHAILESH Vara has been accused of making "dishonest and disingenuous" claims about the Northern Ireland Protocol after saying "mostly everyone" he speaks to says the post-Brexit trade arrangements aren't working.
The remarks by the new secretary of state have been met with widespread scepticism, with both a majority of Stormont's main parties and industry groups challenging the assertion.
Surveys show the north's manufacturers believe the protocol has protected them from the worst impacts of Brexit, while a clear majority of MLAs are expected to vote to retain access to the EU's single market in two year's time.
However, the British government's plan to disapply elements of the protocol through contentious legislation is likely to jeopardise the benefits currently afforded to the region's businesses.
The unilateral action may also lead to a trade war with the EU and even greater economic instability.
Speaking in Derry on Thursday, Mr Vara said "everyone... almost everyone" he had spoken with "says the protocol is not working"
"I have spoken to many people, and almost all of them recognise that the protocol is not working," he told UTV.
"Our preferred option is a negotiated settlement but if there is going to be no further negotiations, then we have to do what we think is right for the people of the United Kingdom – and specifically in this case, people of Northern Ireland."
But Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI said he'd had a "full and frank" meeting with the secretary of state last month where it was made clear "how the protocol is working very well for many sectors as evidenced in the growth in jobs, exports and company accounts".
Mr Kelly acknowledged there were challenges for "some sectors and types of businesses".
"There is a need to simplify some processes and provide certainty but it is not true that business believes the protocol isn't working for most," he said.
"We need the UK and EU to find a sustainable solution to issues and that's done with pragmatism and a sincere approach to discussions which would be better done with the people and businesses locally rather than to them."
Sinn Féin's Caoimhe Archibald said Mr Vara "needs to get out more and talk to businesses other than those handpicked by the Northern Ireland Office".
"It is dishonest and disingenuous to claim the protocol isn't working and that businesses don't support it," she said.
Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said British government engagement with businesses was limited that it had become an "echo chamber".
"The government selectively takes what it wants to hear to reinforce its political view rather than genuinely listening," he said.
SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin said Mr Vara's claims were "completely at odds" with what she was hearing.
