Lodges given County backing over anti-Northern Ireland Protocol stance

And County Officers say they have conveyed the views of members to Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, who, they say, was in full support of the statements issued in relation to the removal of the Protocol.

“The implementation of this Protocol was clearly designed to placate those with aspirations for an all-island republic and has proved to be clearly detrimental to all the citizens of the Province highlighted by the inept actions of the European Union which even upset the Government of the Irish Republic,” says a statement from the County officers.

“We would encourage all our Unionist representatives throughout the Province to form a strong united Unionist coalition in this the Centenary Year of the formation of Northern Ireland.

“It is imperative that all Party differences are set aside and that all our Unionist representatives unite and pledge to work together for the abolition of this iniquitous deal which if it remains in force will ultimately see an all-island republic which our forefathers strongly opposed.”

In their statement last week Portadown District said the imposition of the regulatory border was an “act of betrayal”.

And they branded the approval of separate customs arrangements for Northern Ireland as the “greatest crisis” since the creation of the state in 1921.

Portadown District said: “The NI Protocol is an act of betrayal of the unionist community and our position as a sovereign part of the United Kingdom.” The Portadown statement echoed that made earlier by Markethill.