NI's Place In The UK Internal Market Must Be Restored - Donaldson

Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market must be restored, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Sir Jeffrey met with Lord Frost in London and reiterated that the UK Government must follow through on the commitments made in their Command Paper.

Following the meeting, Sir Jeffrey said: "We have had a useful discussion and update from Lord Frost. The talks between the UK and the EU will continue in London this week but it would appear that significant gaps remain and little progress has been made in key areas.

"I have again reiterated that Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market must be restored and we cannot continue to be subject to laws in NI upon which we have no say or input.

"It was agreed by both parties to the discussions that the talks would be short and focused. Therefore, decisions will very soon need to be taken on whether they can in fact be concluded successfully in order to fully restore NI's position as a full part of the internal market of the UK In the absence of agreement, the UK Government must follow through on the commitments made in their Command Paper.

"The Protocol continues to damage our economy and the political institutions in Northern Ireland and the status quo is not an option."