THERESA May’s so far unsuccessful attempts to do a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to prop up her minority Tory government could be challenged in the courts.
Ciaran McClean, a Green party candidate in Northern Ireland at the General Election, has begun the process by serving a letter on the UK Government claiming any deal bet-ween it and the DUP would breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
He claims a confidence and supply arrangement between the two parties would go against the UK Government’s promise in the 1998 agreement to exercise power in Northern Ireland “with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions”.
McClean, who unsuccessfully contested the West Tyrone constituency on June 8, said: “I campaigned for the Good Friday Agreement and remain absolutely committed to it.
“I was horrified when I heard that the Government was thinking of getting into bed with the DUP so that it could survive crucial votes in the House of Commons. Both in spirit and, as I am advised, in law, such an agreement flies in the face of the obligations of rigorous impartiality under the Good Friday Agreement and is simply unacceptable.
“It’s almost too late for the Government to correct the position because whatever it now does in relation to an agreement with the DUP, even if it abandons it and continues in office, there will always be the suspicion of some sort of deal having been done. My lawyers have written to the government and we must now see what they say in response.”
It’s been 16 days since the election, and the Prime Minister has failed to come to any agreement with the Unionists. The DUP rubbished reports they were looking for £2 billion for their support, but have insisted Northern Ireland needs more money for infrastructure to catch it up with the rest of the UK.
Another difficulty for the deal could be an attempt by some Tory backbenchers, along with MPs from Labour, the SNP, and the LibDems, to amend the Queen’s Speech to allow women from Northern Ireland to have NHS abortions in England.
Northern Ireland has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe and the DUP take a hard line on the subject. English Labour MP Stella Creasy said: “In this parliament it is not just a matter of whether hard-won progress on issues such as inclusive sex and relationship education or access to services for same-sex couples will be under attack by this coalition, but also what issues don’t get addressed and are ignored.
“It is vital we do not let the fight for equality be sidelined, as it is clear without action Northern Irish women will pay the price for the Government doing a deal to stay in power.”
The SNP’s Alison Thewliss and the Green party’s co-leader, Caroline Lucas, are among those who had put their name to the amendment, which follows a recent case rejected by the Supreme Court. Though unlikely to be passed, the MPs hope the amendment will highlight women’s rights issues in Northern Ireland.
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