Northern Ireland committee chair criticised for abstaining on bill to break protocol
Simon Hoare MP in the House of Commons - Credit: Parliament TV
Despite warnings over the government's attempts to break international law by overriding the Northern Ireland Protocol with the Internal Market Bill, the Tory chair of the Northern Ireland committee plans to abstain.
Simon Hoare MP, who chairs the influential parliamentary committee on issues related to the country, has come under criticism for his comments in a Twitter post.
The senior Tory MP quoted a tweet which issues a warning from Mick Mulvaney, the US envoy for Northern Ireland, on the unlikeness of a post-Brexit trade deal.
Mulvaney told journalists: “Their attitude is 'look the British need to know that if a border goes up, then all deals are off. I think that's the accurate position of the entire federal government".
Hoare responded: "Incredibly clear & important comment. BOTH sides of the aisle stand united (in the US that’s not an everyday occasion) to ensure the Good Friday Agreement & the peace of the island of Ireland are maintained."
But despite the warning, the MP said he will be abstaining at the third reading of the bill rather than voting against.
He was roundly criticised for his decision to sit on the fence during the important vote.
Most Read
- 1 The stench of scandal seeping out from Britain
- 2 Why is devout Jacob Rees-Mogg so quiet about Boris Johnson's affairs?
- 3 Dominic Cummings' new venture could cause concern for No 10
- 4 Major and Blair were right about Brexit and Northern Ireland
- 5 Government deletes pro-Scottish independence blog post
- 6 The symbolism behind the reopening of pubs
- 7 Roman Kemp: Depression and coping with George Michael's death
- 8 Why are there so few BAME faces on the fronts of our newspapers?
- 9 David Cameron and Matt Hancock discussed NHS scheme over 'private drink'
- 10 PM chooses not to attend Prince Philip’s funeral because of guest limits
Owen Warne wrote: "Aren't you Chairman of the NI Select Committee? If so, don't you think voting against this bill, rather than abstaining would be a stronger stand? Of course you do, but keeping your job is more important than your integrity isn't it?"
Richard Milne tweeted: "Abstaining as the govt breaks the law, is the equivalent of standing and doing nothing while and old lady is mugged. You don't help the muggers, but neither do you do anything to impede them. Grow a spine!"
Jonathan Banks replied: "Simon, this was a chance for you to stand on the right side of history."
Sarah Mackie posted: "A rare glimpse of a lesser-spotted Tory rebel, who is going to go about rebelling by parking his backside firmly on the fence."
Another tweeted: "Stop being a coward and vote against it. Or is your job more important than the people of Ireland?"
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
