Parts of the Windsor Framework won support yesterday, Wednesday March 22, in the House of Commons, despite opposition from some Tory MPs and the DUP.

MPs voted 515 to 29 (majority 486) in favour of regulations to implement the ‘Stormont Brake’ section of the Windsor Framework.

The ‘Stormont Brake’ is a mechanism that gives the Northern Ireland Assembly the power to object to changes to EU rules that apply in Northern Ireland.

During the debate, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the Commons that he cannot commit to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sir Jeffrey said: “We are committed to continue working with the Secretary of State, working with the Prime Minister, and that has to be about delivering on the commitment given to protect Northern Ireland’s place within the internal market of the United Kingdom.

“That where EU law is applied to facilitate cross-Border trade, that it does not impede our ability to trade with the rest of our own country within the internal market of our own country.

“That is the bottom line for us.”

Continuing, he said: “Until that is resolved, I can’t commit to the [UK] Government that we will restore the political institutions – it’s what I want to do, but we need to get this right.

“I want Stormont restored on a sustainable basis, on a stable basis, where there is cross-community consent and consensus.

“That does not exist at the moment.”