UK, EU clinch Brexit deal over Northern Ireland trade

Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen agree crucial overhaul of trade rules in Northern Ireland that aims to ease tensions stoked by Brexit.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hold a joint press conference following their meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Windsor. Picture: AFP.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has delivered what two prime ministers before him had struggled to produce: a “win-win” Brexit deal for Northern Ireland that offers the country smoother dual regulations with the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The new UK-EU Windsor Framework, so named after the location of the finalisation of the deal on Monday afternoon: the Windsor Hotel, outside of London, is to smooth the stifling difficulties faced by Northern Ireland since Brexit came into place several years ago.

It also meant that the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen didn’t have far to go to meet King Charles at Windsor Castle, raising questions about Downing Street using the monarch for political means.

Ms von der Leyen and Mr Sunak finalised the Windsor Framework with a 90 minute meeting on Monday afternoon, declaring a “new chapter” in UK-EU trade relations had begun.

Under the new deal, goods from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland will not face checks or onerous customs scrutiny, and the imposition of EU laws that has strangled trade in the country, particularly the movement of parcels, pets and plants, will be replaced with a “green lane”.

“I believe we have found ways to end the uncertainty and challenge for the people of Northern Ireland,” Mr Sunak said.

He added the framework would assist smooth-flowing trade within the United Kingdom and protect Northern Ireland’s place in the union. He said amendments to the legal text of the protocol would result in duty and taxation decisions applying to the whole of the UK.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen declare a ‘new chapter’ in relations. Picture: AFP.

Mr Sunak has sought to avoid the bitter internal wrangling of the Conservative party and its hard Brexiteer element by agreeing the new deal, then presenting it to his Cabinet hours afterwards, followed by a presentation to the House of Commons.

One of his closest supporters, junior defence minister Andrew Murrison said: “Looks like Rishi Sunak just cracked it. Hard work, mastery of detail and good old fashioned diplomacy. Now we move on. Rejoice.”

But Mr Sunak’s hard sell of the deal now begins.

The framework crucially allows for Stormont to apply a brake “under truly exceptional circumstances” of a new EU rule or laws it objects to, in conjunction with Westminster, which may mollify Brexiteers and the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland.

The DUP, which had collapsed the devolved power-sharing Northern Ireland government in protest of EU interference in Northern Ireland six months ago, gave a cautious response to the framework, noting that it still allows for the European court of justice to retain the final say on single market issues. Like others, the DUP wanted to scrutinise the fine print before deciding its next move.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP leader, said: “In broad terms it is clear that significant progress has been secured across a number of areas whilst also recognising there remain key issues of concern. There can be no disguising the fact that in some sectors of our economy EU law remains applicable in Northern Ireland.”

Sinn Fein deputy Michelle O’Neill, broadly welcomed the deal and called on the DUP to reform government with Sinn Fein.

Ms O’Neill said: “I welcome a deal has been done, we have a solution on the table,

I am ready, my team is ready, I need partners in which to govern.’’

However the framework also eliminates one of former prime minister Boris Johnson’s key Brexit points: the ability to rip up the Brexit deal unilaterally, which could cause some disquiet among Tory backbenchers.

The delicate handling of Northern Ireland and its relationship with its EU neighbour, the Republic of Ireland, and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement which eliminated a hard border between the two countries has been troublesome for the EU and also for both Theresa May and then Mr Johnson.

A key development was that the EU had seen the many difficulties faced by Northern Ireland people since January 2020 when Brexit formally occurred.

One of the strident Brexiteers, Steve Baker, who leads the European Research Group, enthusiastically endorsed the new framework, saying “ I am terrifically pleased’’.

Mr Baker told Sky News he was “backing it earnestly” so that the government can “move on”.

He added:“I think this is a win, it is important when you have a win-win to bank it and move forward, this is a radical improvement for Northern Ireland’’. To the BBC Mr Baker said Mr Sunak had “played a blinder”.

Ireland’s deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin said:“From the outset, we have always said that the only sustainable outcome is one based on jointly agreed solutions. I heard first-hand the concerns of many unionists. I believe they will see in this a genuine response to their genuine concerns.”