London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

DUP Brexiteer appointed Northern Ireland first minister amid UK-EU row over post-withdrawal protocol

DUP Brexiteer appointed Northern Ireland first minister amid UK-EU row over post-withdrawal protocol

Hardline Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Brexiteer Paul Givan has been appointed Northern Ireland’s new first minister amid an ongoing row between the UK and EU over the implementation of the post-Brexit protocol for the region.
Givan’s installation as one of the joint leaders of the Northern Ireland government on Thursday comes after the DUP forced its former party leader, Arlene Foster, out of the first minister post over concerns she wasn’t doing enough to oppose the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Following his appointment, Givan is expected to step up criticism of the protocol, although, despite his strong pro-Brexit views, he did not address the concerns about the post-Brexit measures during his first speech in the new role.

Seeking to bridge divisions that emerged within Northern Ireland over the protocol, Givan told the region’s legislature that “we must all recognise that there is much more that we have in common than separates us.”

However, any attempt to strip away the Northern Ireland Protocol will require support from the DUP’s power-sharing partner Sinn Fein, which has so far rejected efforts to undo the measure. After Givan’s speech, Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, declared that the measures are “a consequence” of Brexit, which the DUP “championed”.

The protocol, Article 16 of the Withdrawal Agreement, was agreed as part of the UK’s Brexit deal ahead of its departure from the EU in an effort to prevent implementing a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which is an EU member state. The measure ensures that border checks are not required between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, instead moving inspections to items entering Northern Ireland from Britain.

Local opposition to the protocol spilled out into Northern Ireland’s streets earlier this year in a series of violent protests. Around 90 police officers were injured, 18 people were arrested and 15 individuals were charged following clashes between authorities and members of the loyalist community.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×