The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has secured an agreement that marks a new chapter for the people of Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework will replace the old Northern Ireland Protocol, providing a new legal and UK constitutional framework.
This deal will deliver smooth flowing trade within the whole UK, protect Northern Ireland’s place in our Union, and safeguard sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland, through the "Stormont Brake" which will allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to veto any new EU laws.
I congratulate the PM on this achievement and offer my support for the Framework. Many people did not think this was possible.
Last night, I asked the Prime Minister about the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. This Bill was a necessary piece of legislation that served as a fall-back to address the legitimate concerns of the Unionist community, and to strengthen our hand in negotiations.
Now we have the Windsor Agreement, the Bill is no longer necessary. The Framework is a legally sound, durable agreement that means everyone can plan with certainty. It is mutually satisfactory for not only the Government and the EU but, most importantly, for the people of Northern Ireland.
For more information on the Windsor Framework, please follow the link here.