Starmer states opposition to suspending parts of NI Protocol

Speaking to BBC One’s “Andrew Marr Show” this morning, Starmer insisted that triggering Article 16 would not resolve “the dispute in relation to the protocol in Northern Ireland”.

The triggering of Article 16 would allow parts of the protocol to be unilaterally suspended. The Article is intended to be a “safeguard” if either the EU or UK believe that Protocol is leading to “serious” practical problems or a diversion of trade — “economic, societal or environmental difficulties”. There is no specific guidance on what qualifies as a “serious” difficulty.

However, Starmer said triggering Article 16 was not in the “interests of the communities in Northern Ireland or businesses in Northern Ireland”. “What is in their interests is resolving the issues,” he said.

“What I am saying is don’t rip up the protocol because that has that very important central purpose, which is to protect the no border in Northern Ireland.”