The DUP MLA sent a letter to a powerful US committee after its chairman, Richard Neal, said he had a “derived” objection to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Iane Dodds – who confirmed that the correspondence had been sent to the House of Representatives Committee in the manner and means – called Mr Neil a “friend of Sinn Fein” and called his comments “outrageous”.
The top American Democrat is leading a bipartisan US delegation of four Democrats and four Republicans, which has met with political leaders in Belgium, the United Kingdom and Ireland in recent days.
As part of the diplomatic trip, the delegation is visiting Ireland and Northern Ireland this week amid tensions caused by post-Brexit trade agreements and a threat from the UK government to introduce legislation that would unilaterally repeal parts of the protocol.
Speaking to the media, Mr Neil suggested that “the protocol dispute seems to me to be a problem.”
In response, Ms Dodds suggested that the US delegation “speak out on a policy of consensus and seek a path that respects Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom and can receive the support of trade unionists”.
Richie Neal has always been a friend of Sinn Fein and is quick to pay tribute to the IRA, so his disrespect for unionists is not a big shock, but he suggests that more than 40% of MPPs elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly are more less than 20 days ago ‘produced’ their opposition to the NI protocol is outrageous.
“The protocol has not enjoyed the support of any trade union or MP MP since it was imposed on us by Westminster and Brussels.
“The protocol increases the costs on the shelves of our supermarkets, especially for frozen food. This has put our drug supplies at risk and made Northern Ireland a colony where we are subject to rules but powerless to change them.
“From the moment Richie Neal’s feet touched those shores, he was more of an obstacle than an aid to progress.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Neil called on the London government to “help us all find a solution” to the post-Brexit trade dispute.
“What we have heard so far, clear from the (European Union), is that they want to find a solution,” he said.
“What we heard from the minister (Simon Cowney), Taoiseach and the president, they want to find a solution.
“We, the congressional delegation, want to find a solution.
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