‘Sea border does not exist’ says NI Secretary as lorries wait in port to be checked

Conservative MP Brandon Lewis also said that the Province is “uniquely placed to benefit and prosper” from Brexit.

Last night on Twitter he said: “As we have seen today, the important preparations the government and businesses have taken to prepare for the end of the Transition Period are keeping goods flowing freely around the country, including between GB and NI…

“Sanitary and phytosanitary checks build on what already happens at ports like Belfast and Larne, as per the Protocol, proportionate, protecting the integrity and smooth functioning of the UK internal market, recognising Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

“No new bespoke physical customs infrastructure.”

The volume of freight traffic was extremely low yesterday, on account of it being a national holiday, with traffic expected to pick up in the coming days.

In addition, the so-called “grace periods” for things like supermarket goods and chilled meats (which basically mean trade in those items is unaffected) will elapse in three and six months, respectively – ushering in fresh paperwork on those goods too.

Among those responding to Mr Lewis last night was Trevor Lunn, the former Alliance MLA (now sitting as an independent).

“These smug comments my come back to haunt him,” said Mr Lunn.

“But really, does anyone over here give credence any more to Her Majesty’s government’s comments?”

It all comes against a backdrop of repeated promises from top government figures that there will be no “Irish Sea border”.

On March 18, Mr Lewis had promised MPs “there will be no border between NI and GB” when he was speaking in the Commons.

He further went on to pledge “no border down the Irish sea” and “unfettered access for the whole UK”.

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