Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that blowing up negotiations with the European Union will not save the embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Foyle MP was speaking after reports that the Tory ERG is offering support for Johnson in return for tearing up the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“British politicians should think very carefully before they manipulate sensitive issues in Northern Ireland to distract from their own political problems. Reports today that the ERG is offering support for the embattled British Prime Minister in return for tearing up the Northern Ireland protocol are dangerous and demonstrate just how little they actually care about this place and its people.

“We need to be very clear – blowing up the negotiations with the European Union at a moment when both parties were briefing positively about the direction of travel would be painfully transparent, totally cynical and it will not save Boris Johnson’s skin.

“People in Northern Ireland are sick of being used as a bargaining chip between the rowing factions of the British Conservative Party. People, communities and businesses here have been working hard over the last six years to stave off the consequences of a Brexit that we did not support. We will not be plunged back into chaos to save a politician of Boris Johnson’s character.”