London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

NI Protocol: Paul Givan defends DUP boycott of north-south meetings

NI Protocol: Paul Givan defends DUP boycott of north-south meetings

First Minister Paul Givan has defended the DUP's decision not to attend North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings in spite of a court ruling their actions were unlawful.

However, he said the party is still allowing some cross-border co-operation to proceed on health issues.

He said he had agreed the agenda for a NSMC health meeting later this week.

He expects peace funding to be approved at that meeting subject to approval from the deputy first minister.

Mr Givan insisted his decision was in line with the DUP's position on north-south engagement.

The first minister was responding to criticism in the chamber after a High Court judgement declared the DUP's boycott of NSMC meetings to be unlawful.

The debate was triggered by an urgent question from the Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson.

The first minister rejected criticism of his party and said the UK government and EU must put "right the wrongs" which flowed from the withdrawal agreement.

He added they both have an opportunity to do that and "protect these institution".

He told MLAs north south council meetings can only be scheduled when signed off by the first and deputy first ministers.

He added that he has now "signed off" for the health meeting to go ahead in line with his party position laid out by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

Protests against the protocol have taken place across Northern Ireland

On Monday Belfast High Court ruled that the DUP's boycott of North-South Ministerial (NSMC) meetings in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol was an unlawful breach of the pledge of office.

Mr Justice Scoffield made the declaration after judicial review proceedings were taken after two meetings were cancelled.

The protocol is part of the Brexit deal agreed in 2019.

Unionists argue it undermines Northern Ireland's position as part of the UK.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×