Sir Jeffrey said,
“The Government has had more than two years to deal with the Protocol. The fact that the imposition of the protocol has caused the collapse of devolved government was entirely predictable. There will be no return to devolved government until the Protocol is dealt with decisively and we have arrangements that unionists, as well as nationalists, can support.
Parliament is sovereign and has responsibility for Northern Ireland in the absence of devolution. I have written to the Secretary of State and indicated I will table an amendment in Westminster on 22 February to enable the completion of Dáithí’s Law by the springtime as originally planned.
It is disgraceful that this issue has been used as blackmail for the return of devolution. The Government know the parameters for the restoration of devolved government therefore they should take the necessary steps in Westminster to ensure Dáithí’s Law is put in place.”
