Get Stormont up and running without delay

DUP urged to get back to work as PM in North to try & sell new deal

- JONATHAN McCAMBRIDGE and REBECCA BLACK

STORMONT leaders urged the DUP to reach a swift conclusion over the Windsor Framework to unlock the powersharing logjam. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with the leaders of some of the political parties during a visit to the North to sell the benefits of the deal he has agreed with the EU on post Brexit trading arrangements.

The framework removes the Northern Ireland Protocol’s barriers on trade across the Irish Sea and hands a “veto” to politicians in Stormont on EU law.

Mr Sunak met with Alliance leader Naomi Long and Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie in Co Antrim.

The DUP and SDLP leaders are currently in London and Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said she had spoken to Mr Sunak on the day’s breakthrough. The deal is now done. My key message is to let’s keep momentum going. The priority must now be getting Stormont up and moving without delay.”

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, whose party has been boycotting Stormont, said they would take time to consider the detail of the framework.

But other party leaders urged the DUP to get back to work.