SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has slammed comments by the DUP over the Irish border as “irresponsible” and “dangerous”.He said: “The comments from the DUP MP Sammy Wilson that no deal with EU should be ‘an option’, directly translates into a ‘hard border is an option’.
“That is utter nonsense.
“A hard border in Ireland is not an option. Mr Wilson’s comments are irresponsible and dangerous. He should retract them immediately.
“It is absolutely nonsensical to pretend that no deal is better than a bad deal. No deal cannot be an option. Nor should the DUP seek to deploy it as an option.
“A no deal strategy completely betrays the will of the people who live here in Northern Ireland.
“The DUP and the British Government need to wake up to the reality that a ‘no deal’ Brexit would inevitably lead to a hard border across this island.
“Brexit is a real threat to our way of life. Any suggestion of any border here must be resisted. The socio-economic and the political consequences of a border across Ireland are catastrophic.
“The silencing of our voices in Westminster at this critical time is a real dereliction of duty. Theresa May’s refusal to even respond to my letter seeking representation for parties from here at the JMC speaks volumes on her concern for the people of the North of Ireland.
“This underpins the need for an Irish solution to Brexit. We simply cannot leave it up to Sammy, the DUP and their bed buddies in the Tories to protect the Good Friday Agreement and our way of life,” added the Foyle MLA.
