A sign erected by loyalists outside a port in Northern Ireland amid fears of an upswing in sectarian tensions. Getty.
A sign erected by loyalists outside a port in Northern Ireland amid fears of an upswing in sectarian tensions. Getty.
A sign erected by loyalists outside a port in Northern Ireland amid fears of an upswing in sectarian tensions. Getty.
A sign erected by loyalists outside a port in Northern Ireland amid fears of an upswing in sectarian tensions. Getty.

UK condemns threats to port workers implementing Brexit checks in Northern Ireland


Neil Murphy
  • English
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The British government on Tuesday condemned threats to port workers carrying out post-Brexit trade checks in Northern Ireland.

Checks were suspended at Belfast and Larne ports late on Monday, and the European Commission said staff working at two border posts in the region were told to stay away.

The development comes a little more than a month into new trading arrangements after Brexit took full effect, amid warnings it could stoke lingering sectarian sentiment in Northern Ireland.

UK minister Michael Gove called the situation "completely unacceptable", echoing condemnation from the power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive and the European Commission.

"It's vital that everyone in Northern Ireland, and indeed the UK, exercises calmness and moderation as well as resolution to resolve the problems," he told Parliament.

Minister Michael Gove told the UK parliament that intimidation of staff at Belfast and Larne ports was "completely unacceptable". AFP.
Minister Michael Gove told the UK parliament that intimidation of staff at Belfast and Larne ports was "completely unacceptable". AFP.

Regulatory animal-based food checks were stopped on the orders of Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

At Larne Port, 12 staff were pulled from duties after "an upsurge in sinister and menacing behaviour in recent weeks", the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said.

Pro-British loyalists have been blamed for graffiti criticising the Northern Ireland Protocol and describing port staff as "targets".

Attempts also were reported to have been made to collect information on employees, including vehicle registration plates, in acts of intimidation recalling the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Police patrols have since been increased, while Northern Ireland's leaders are scheduled to talk to UK and EU ministers on Wednesday.

The Northern Ireland Protocol came into effect on January 1, when the Brexit transition period ended and the full effects of the UK's 2016 decision to split from the EU were eventually felt.

The protocol is designed to prevent a hard border emerging between the north and EU member the Republic of Ireland – a frequent flashpoint in three decades of violence over British rule.

Up to 1998, more than 3,500 people were killed as unionists, who back ties to Britain, engaged in a deadly tug-of-war with republicans seeking to merge the province with the Republic of Ireland.

Vehicles at the port of Larne where goods into Northern Ireland faced checks. AP.
Vehicles at the port of Larne where goods into Northern Ireland faced checks. AP.

Security checkpoints and patrols along the 500-kilometre border were attacked by republican paramilitaries in some of the bloodiest chapters of the sectarian violence.

Post-Brexit, London and Brussels feared splinter republican groups still active after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement peace deal could target checks and use them as a recruiting tool to grow their base.

The protocol avoids the need for a hard border by transplanting EU single market and customs union checks to Northern Irish ports and airports.

However, some unionists believe these create a de facto sea border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales.

They feel the border disrupts the principle of free movement between the united territories and binds Northern Ireland in an economic union with the Republic.

Unionists – and more extreme loyalists sometimes linked to paramilitaries – called 2019 legislation to enact the Northern Ireland protocol "Betrayal Act".

Last week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers were noticing "growing discontent" among the unionist community – chiefly graffiti and on social media.

The protocol became the renewed focus of unionist ire last weekend after a coronavirus vaccine row pushed the European Commission to warn it would invoke Article 16 of the treaty to restrict vaccine exports to Northern Ireland.

The fallback provision allows London or Brussels to unilaterally suspend aspects of the deal in special circumstances.

Brussels quickly backtracked on the threat – now widely considered a diplomatic bungle – after criticism from the UK, the Republic of Ireland and all of Northern Ireland's mainstream political parties.

Mr Gove said the EU decision on Friday was a "serious mistake" and that "trust has been eroded" between London and Brussels.

"The EU needs to work with us at speed and with determination to resolve the serious outstanding issues with the protocol," he told MPs.

match details

Wales v Hungary

Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm

Porsche Macan T: The Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo 

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm 

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

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The Specs

Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)

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Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS) 

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THE DEALS

Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m

Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m

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Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m

TOTAL $485m

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
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UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series

Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
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Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack

The specs
 
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Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

The Sand Castle

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PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
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Company Profile

Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

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Ponti

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While you're here
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