DUP’s Gavin Robinson accused of ‘backtracking’ on Stormont deal

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson has been accused of backtracking on the deal he helped negotiate to restore power sharing.

It followed a speech on Wednesday where Mr Robinson appeared to contradict previous messages delivered by the DUP leadership.

He was speaking after being ratified as the DUP party leader.

He told party members that, despite the deal negotiated with the government, the Irish Sea border remained in place

This was at odds with previous statements made by the former leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson who insisted the Irish Sea border had been “effectively” removed as a result of the Safe Guarding the Union deal he secured with the government.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Robinson addressed his party executive in Lisburn, after it was confirmed he would lead the DUP into the election.

The East Belfast MP was appointed interim leader by party officers in March.

It came after the resignation of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, after he was charged with rape and other historical sex offences, which he said he will strenuously contest.

Mr Robinson said he was looking forward to leading his DUP team into the election with “energy and purpose”.

He addressed Northern Ireland’s place in the union, following arrangements agreed by the DUP and the government aimed at addressing the Irish Sea border.

He said the party would send a clear message to the next government – whether Labour or Conservative – that there was still work to do to improve those new arrangements.

“We will continue to fight to fully restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, including removing the application of EU law in our country and the internal Irish Sea Border it creates.”

He said he was urging all unionist voters to set aside “internal debate” in the aim of maximising unionist representation at Westminster.

The Ulster Unionists have accused the DUP leader of backsliding on the party’s previous position

Speaking on the BBC’s Nolan show last night, UUP leader Doug Beattie said it was now clear the DUP had changed direction.

While TUV leader Jim Allister said the DUP leadership “shift” showed his party was “right all along”.

“What matters is not the DUP’s latest spin on its ‘Donaldson Deal’, as it pivots in circles, but the substance of their deal which carries Gavin Robinson’s indelible fingerprints. None of the substance of their deal has changed,” Mr Allister said.

On Thursday morning, Mr Robinson said the DUP was clear on its objectives and that significant progress had been made, but that “there is a border in the Irish Sea”.

“There is still work to do to undo the totality of the harm foisted upon us by a London government and by a national parliament that ignored the concerns of unionists,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster.