Northern Ireland 'cannot be hostage' to infighting among UK conservatives, O'Neill warns

Political stability in Northern Ireland cannot be held hostage over infighting within the UK's Conservative Party, Michelle O’Neill has warned.

Sinn Féin’s vice president said the turmoil within Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s party was having an impact on the public in the region.

There has been expectation that a Government bill to override aspects of the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol will be published this week.

Critics of Mr Johnson claim the aim of the bill is more about shoring up support for his leadership among the hard line Brexiteer wing of his party, rather than its stated purpose of achieving greater consensus within Northern Ireland for the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Powersharing at Stormont is on ice after the DUP refused to re-establish a devolved executive following last month’s Assembly election in protest at the protocol, which has created economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Ms O’Neill tweeted: “Our political stability cannot be a hostage to Tory in-fighting.

“This and DUP boycott of Government is hurting the public at a time when we should have their backs.

“Boris Johnson’s threat to Protocol is to risk their entire agreement with EU on withdrawal & with colossal impact.” 

The UK Prime Minister yesterday (Monday June 6) survived a Confidence Vote, winning the support of his party by 211 to 148. 

However, he has attained support from fewer MPs (59%) than his predecessor, Theresa May. 

Mrs May was ousted from office within six months of securing 63% support from her MPs during her own Confidence Vote. 

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry tweeted ahead of the vote: “To Conservative MPs, do not use Northern Ireland and future of protocol as pawns in the Confidence Vote in Boris Johnson or any future leadership ballot.”

Meanwhile, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood urged Conservative MPs to call time on Mr Johnson’s premiership.

“Boris Johnson’s leadership has been characterised by a cynical corruption of the ideals of public service,” he said.

“He has warped the principles of honesty and integrity in public life through a sustained campaign of dishonesty designed with only his own personal ambition in mind.

“The Sue Gray report was a stark dismantling of the pretence that Boris Johnson cares about anyone else.

“Self-gratification, parties, cake and wine while people were making the most severe sacrifices in the name of community speaks directly to his character and his leadership.

“Tory MPs have the opportunity to call time on the politics of ego, the casual law breaking and the culture of dishonesty which has infected public office during this administration.

“Anything less than a vote of no confidence in this Prime Minister is an endorsement of the corruption of democratic norms.”