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UVF mural in support the of Ulster loyalist paramilitary group, on the wall of a property on the Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast PA Images

NI Protocol issues can be resolved with goodwill and common sense, Boris Johnson says

Loyalist paramilitaries in NI have said they are withdrawing their support for the GFA.

LAST UPDATE | 4 Mar 2021

THE BRITISH PRIME Miniter has insisted that “goodwill and common sense” will deliver resolutions to contentious post-Brexit Irish Sea trading arrangements.

Boris Johnson expressed confidence that issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol are “eminently solvable”, amid a further escalation of political and societal tensions over the terms of his Brexit divorce deal.

The EU is considering legal action against the UK after the government unilaterally extended a grace period that is currently limiting red tape associated with the protocol governing trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In a separate development, loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland have withdrawn their support for the historic Good Friday peace agreement in protest against arrangements they contend have driven an economic wedge between the region and the rest of the UK.

Their move was conveyed in a letter to both Johnson and the Taoiseach Michéal Martin.

Asked about the letter from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), an umbrella group representing three outlawed paramilitary groups, Johnson indicated he had not seen the correspondence.

Speaking to broadcasters at Teesport, Middlesbrough, he added: “But what I can say is we are taking some temporary and technical measures to ensure that there are no barriers in the Irish Sea, to make sure things flow freely between GB and NI, and that’s what you would expect.

“Obviously these are matters for continuing intensive discussions with our friends.

“I’m sure with a bit of goodwill and common sense all these technical problems are eminently solvable.”

The LCC represents the Ulster Volunteer Force, Ulster Defence Association and Red Hand Commando, which were responsible for many deaths during 30 years of conflict.

The paramilitaries said they are temporarily withdrawing their backing of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday accord amid mounting concerns about the protocol.

The LCC leadership stressed unionist opposition to the protocol should remain “peaceful and democratic”.

Its letter warns the protocol undermines the “basis on which the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) agreed their 1994 ceasefire and subsequent support for the Belfast Agreement”.

Commenting on the LCC letter, Northern Ireland’s Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he does not believe loyalists are likely to return to violence.

“Our initial assessment is that this is a political move,” he told the Northern Ireland Policing Board on Thursday.

“We don’t see the prospect of a return to protest or violence. We are prudently looking at an assessment of what that means in terms of a policing response or indeed any need to change our posture over the weeks ahead.”

Tensions have been ratcheting up in loyalist communities since the protocol came into effect at the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31.

NI First Minister Arlene Foster said she did not have advance notice of the letter.

“It’s not surprising to me after having met the LCC this day last week they were very clear about the difficulties with the protocol,” she said.

“I had not seen the letter before it went and why would I – this is a letter coming from the LCC to the Prime Minister and to the Taoiseach.

I do welcome the fact that they have said they will use peaceful and democratic means, I very much welcome that.

“It’s so important that we deal with matters through politics and through the constitutional way of dealing with issues, whether that’s through politics or through the courts or whatever. I think that that is to be welcomed.”

NI deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill criticised the loyalist groupings and questioned their ongoing existence.

“I think the question that needs to be answered is, 23 years after the Good Friday Agreement, why loyalist paramilitary groups still exist, way they’re still carrying out organised crime, racketeering and extortion, holding communities to ransom?” she said.

“I think everybody in political leadership has a responsibility to encourage and to tell these groups to leave the stage. There is no place for them in today’s society.”

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    Mute conor
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:54 PM

    This man should have more than 900,000 followers on facebook. His journey should be a lesson to all of us. A true human being, expanding our species knowledge.

    792
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    Mute Mike O Neill
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:06 PM

    I think you mean engrossed! Or at least I hope you did..

    719
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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:15 PM

    Actually couldn’t breath I was laughing so much. Sorry Pontius lol I’m feeling a bit overly giddy as I have a very rare night off .

    244
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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:17 PM

    It’s also official now. Journal commenters can bring ANY topic back to sex lol

    193
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    Mute Sam
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:51 PM

    Made me laugh out on a packed bus! I look like a right weirdo now

    149
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    Mute Mike O Neill
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    Oct 24th 2014, 7:30 PM

    Engorged, Cox, Spotted (Dick). Enjoy your night Catherine:)

    86
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    Mute Patrick O'Rourke
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    Oct 24th 2014, 11:30 PM

    A chair ?

    9
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    Mute Dr. Gonzo
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    Oct 25th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Batteries

    1
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    Mute Joe Lyster
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    Oct 24th 2014, 7:57 PM

    Did anyone else read his post with a computer voice in your head???

    453
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    Mute Debbie Duggan
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:22 AM

    Yes I did..Lol..

    61
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    Mute BlueSkyThinking
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    Oct 25th 2014, 7:36 AM

    Everytime I hear the Benny Benassi song “satisfaction”, I thinks it’s Stephen Hawkings singing:
    http://youtu.be/V5bYDhZBFLA

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    Mute Eddie Gammell
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:40 PM

    Absolutely

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    Mute Eddie Gammell
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:41 PM

    Absolutely I did akso

    1
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    Mute John Dunne
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:28 PM

    I bet anyone that seen his post and was reading it in there mind with Stephen voice… Be honest lol

    130
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    Mute Sarah Cullington
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:08 PM

    I am totally imagining him saying this in my head :)

    122
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    Mute Jackie Caruana
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    Oct 25th 2014, 7:09 AM

    Me too, I heard his voice

    8
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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Oct 25th 2014, 8:15 AM

    His voice?

    8
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    Mute L-Plate
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:17 PM

    He struck me as more of a candy crush person

    106
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    Mute doc samoflange
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:58 PM

    can the author of this article please go back and edit in the bit that made his post brilliant, because I think it was left out

    76
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    Mute Ron North
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    Oct 24th 2014, 8:45 PM

    It’s a rubbish post. It’s not much better than a picture of a kitten.

    49
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    Mute Susan Adair Farrelly
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    Oct 24th 2014, 9:27 PM

    I see the twits are out in force tonight..

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    Mute Una Doran
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    Oct 24th 2014, 11:39 PM

    Yea would not call it brilliant

    43
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    Mute Mick Bermingham
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:57 PM

    great man

    67
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    Mute mick66
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    Oct 24th 2014, 10:43 PM

    According to Hawkins God was not necessary in the creation of the Universe. Now let’s hear the roar from the two camps!

    32
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    Mute Fraj Llecrup
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    Oct 25th 2014, 1:23 AM

    “According to Hawkins God was not necessary in the creation of the Universe”

    ……without a shred of evidence to back up that assumption!!

    25
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    Mute Bill
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    Oct 25th 2014, 6:32 AM

    I rather think the God squad need to prove that she/it/he exists rather than us non believers

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    Mute Martin Posters Moore Street
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:58 PM

    And now i can see forever

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    Mute Byyys
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:35 PM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J815z_zN4LY – David Blaine did a trick with Stephen. think he was impressed.

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    Mute Collins Dermot
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:27 AM

    I think his theory’s are absurd

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    Mute Raymond Connolly
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    Oct 24th 2014, 10:13 PM

    It’s brilliant ?

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    Mute molly coddled
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    Oct 25th 2014, 1:06 AM

    Stephen hawking.
    Legend.
    Says it in a nutshell.

    12
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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:05 AM

    Even the Lego Hawking is class

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    Mute Jenny Brandon
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    Oct 24th 2014, 11:04 PM

    We are like ants on wheels to whoever the greater power is looking down or even up at us!

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:04 AM

    That’s it. The ANTS !!! Their controlling us from underground

    18
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    Mute Mick Bermingham
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:56 PM

    ok

    8
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    Mute Mick Bermingham
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:55 PM

    ni

    7
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    Mute Collins Dermot
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    Oct 25th 2014, 3:55 AM

    His first and his last what if he was just talking D piss

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    Mute RFZmK5Va
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    Oct 25th 2014, 3:32 AM

    The mans a fraud, he’s paying the water charges

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    Mute Dr'Wesley O'hÁlpin
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    Oct 25th 2014, 9:01 AM

    Was it just me or did anyone else read it hearing his voice?

    2
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