LISTEN: DUP ministers boycotting north-south meetings in 'abject breach of their solemn pledge', High Court judge rules

By PA

A High Court judge has said that DUP ministers who are boycotting cross-border political meetings as part of a protest against Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol are in “abject breach of their solemn pledge”.

However, Mr Justice Scoffield declined to make any order mandating DUP ministers to set a date and agenda for the next meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), citing concerns of the courts getting involved in ongoing political matters.

A Belfast businessman had already secured a court judgment that declared the DUP boycott as unlawful and was seeking a further ruling mandating ministers to act.

Sean Napier and his solicitor Paul O'Farrell speaking outside the High Court after a judge ruled that the DUP boycott of North-South meetings is an 'abject breach of their solemn pledge'
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Refusing to grant the order, the judge said:

“Lest there be any temptation for the respondents to represent this decision as a vindication of their position, the following comments need to be made in conclusion.

“More than two months have passed since the court made the earlier declaration in these proceedings.

“The respondents have continued on the course they conceded was unlawful.

“A variety of business on matters of cross-border interest has not been able to be progressed in the meantime.

“That is because ministers are acting in plain breach of what they know to be their legal obligations.

“Each of the respondents affirmed the ministerial pledge of office, committed themselves to discharge all the duties of their ministerial office and to uphold the rule of law.

“By their actions the respondents, and principally the first respondent (Paul Givan) by his actions, are in abject breach of their solemn pledge.”

Sean Napier, alongside his solicitor Paul O'Farrell, speaks outside the High Court after a judge ruled that the DUP boycott of North-South meetings is an 'abject breach of their solemn pledge'
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Mr Justice Scoffield continued:

“It is no answer that the respondents wish to protest what they perceive as a political injustice.

“In recent months there have been thankfully sporadic acts of violence claimed by or attributed to those who, like the respondents, oppose the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“These actions have been justly condemned by, amongst others, the respondents’ party leader (Sir Jeffrey Donaldson).

“It is incumbent upon those in political leadership to reflect on the example set when they choose to wilfully ignore clear legal obligations to which they are subject.

“It is not difficult to conceive that condemnation of others’ law-breaking might be less influential when political leaders are themselves content to publicly disregard the law in instances of their own choosing.

“It is both profoundly concerning and depressing that the respondents hope to secure political advantage by openly flouting their legal obligations.”

(Sean Napier)