{"id":25627,"date":"2022-03-27T17:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T21:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25627"},"modified":"2022-03-28T10:42:03","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T14:42:03","slug":"uup-leader-warns-that-anti-ni-protocol-protests-are-rising-tensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25627","title":{"rendered":"UUP Leader Warns That Anti-NI Protocol Protests Are Rising Tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Doug Beattie said his party will not be involved in rallies that he said were \u2018raising tensions\u2019 in Northern Ireland (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Ulster Unionist Party leader has accused unionist and loyalist organizers of anti-Northern Ireland Protocol rallies of stoking tension in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a lengthy statement on Sunday, Doug Beattie said that his party will not be involved in rallies that he said were \u201craising tensions\u201d in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was among those who addressed a rally against the protocol on Friday, alongside TUV leader Jim Allister, Kate Hoey, Ben Habib and Jamie Bryson in Ballymoney, Co Antrim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the latest in a string of protests against the post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, which are fiercely opposed by unionists and loyalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Beattie said on Sunday that the anti-protocol rallies were adding to tensions, alluding to a security alert in Belfast on Friday which led to Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney being evacuated from a peace event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UVF is suspected of involvement in the incident, which was condemned by politicians from across the political spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police are still investigating the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Beattie said: \u201cThere are many issues that face the people of Northern Ireland and the most pressing and immediate now is the cost-of-living crisis including fuel poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is important that politicians focus on this issue which the Ulster Unionist Party has been highlighting since last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Northern Ireland Protocol remains a political issue that cannot be ignored and we have repeatedly stated that it needs to be replaced with a solution that works for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is leading to real societal harm. This includes terrorists back on our streets doing what they do best, terrorizing an already beleaguered society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are also media reports quoting UVF sources that they intend to escalate their terrorist activities in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is now clear that anti-protocol rallies are being used to raise the temperature in Northern Ireland and adding to tensions that now see a resurgence in UVF activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Ulster Unionist Party will not be part of raising tensions or the temperature by bringing people onto the streets with an intent to harness anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a party we will continue to engage in all community-led meetings where we will answer our critics. As the party leader I will make myself available, where possible, to explain my rationale for dealing with the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I will not add to the raising of tensions that others seem intent on doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement comes with only weeks to go before the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland, in which the UUP will be hoping to compete strongly against Mr Donaldson\u2019s DUP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Beattie does not mention the DUP or name any individuals in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Beattie said that his party will continue to urge the EU and the UK to make progress on finding solutions to some of the issues caused by the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also said that triggering Article 16, which would suspend some elements of the post-Brexit arrangements in place for Northern Ireland, could be legitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe believe that triggering Article 16 would be a valid use on any aspect of the protocol that is contributing to the cost-of-living crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he warned: \u201cThe protocol is a political problem and it will be dealt with through political solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat we cannot allow is for a small group of individuals with the loudest voices to lead politicians by the nose in doing their bidding.\u201d<\/p>\n

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