King Charles Questions Dup Leader Over Brexit Deal Stance

Charles was making his first visit to Northern Ireland as monarch and had a long chat with Geoffrey Donaldson about the European Union and the NI protocol. During a reception at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, Sir Geoffrey told the new sovereign that he believed the situation could be resolved. The monarch also spoke to Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill about the Northern Ireland Assembly and today’s impasse. And Mrs O’Neill, whose party is a staunch republican, wished King Charles well and said she was sorry for the loss of his mother. The Northern Ireland Protocol to the Brexit deal negotiated by Boris Johnson has upset some unionists in the territory. The treaty is designed to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit, but has introduced new trade barriers in the Irish Sea – which unionists are ideologically opposed to. The impasse over the deal – which is garnering popular support among the general public in NI according to polls – has sparked a power-sharing crisis at Stormont, with the DUP quitting the Executive in protest. In London, the UK government has threatened to override parts of the deal, but the European Commission says doing so would breach international law. Brussels already has legal action against the UK government for not implementing parts of the protocol correctly. Speaking at the reception, Sinn Fein vice-president Ms O’Neill told Charles that “the life and legacy of the late Queen will be fondly remembered by those with a British identity here who with great pride and devotion held her very dear”. He added: “She has led by example in promoting peace and reunification and in building relationships with those of us who are Irish and who share a different political faith and aspirations for herself and her government. “I hope this continues now that you are king and the British-Irish relationship is strengthened and developed as an era ends and a new one begins in these changing times.” The reception was attended by a wide range of sports, political and business figures from Northern Ireland, including Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP’s Matthew O’Toole. 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