The disagreement between the European Union and Great Britain over customs checks in Northern Ireland has led to the resignation of Northern Irish Premier Paul Givan. His resignation comes amid the escalating campaign by his pro-British DUP against the Northern Ireland Protocol of Brexit.
The DUP has repeatedly threatened to withdraw its ministers from the regional government in Belfast if sufficient changes are not made to the Northern Ireland protocol. This part of the Brexit agreement stipulates that Britons and Northern Irish must impose customs checks in their trade because (the British province) Northern Ireland remains part of the European single market.
Last week, Northern Ireland's Minister of Food and Agriculture Edwin Poots unilaterally ordered a halt to these port checks, which were causing delays in store supplies. The High Court in Belfast has since overturned that decision.
The land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland is completely open. Deliveries to Northern Ireland must be checked to prevent goods from third countries entering the EU unchecked via Great Britain. Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture, Edwin Poots, wanted to abolish these checks.
Numerous simplifications have already been agreed between Brussels and London, yet the Northern Irish DUP remains dissatisfied. The EU calls the cessation of customs checks a violation of the existing trade agreement.
Following the resignation of Northern Irish Premier Gavin, deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill must also step down. She is from the Sinn Féin party, the pro-European Irish nationalist rival of the DUP. Regional elections in Northern Ireland are scheduled for April; they may now be brought forward.
According to some commentators, the DUP's ongoing criticism of the customs checks is primarily intended to emphasize the party's pro-British stance. Sinn Féin believes a referendum should be held on Northern Ireland’s trade position.