He will tell them: “We have to deal with the unresolved issues related to the Protocol on Northern Ireland, and we want to do that with an agreement with the EU. But as we have always clarified, we will not be ashamed to take further steps if necessary.
“However, the people of Northern Ireland need a stable and accountable government to deal with the issues that matter to them. That is why we urge the parties to come together and form an executive branch. “
Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the DUP, said he would refuse to join a new administration until the protocol was removed.
Sources close to Mr Gove said he would always support the government’s position on the protocol, while a spokesman for Mr Sunak said he was “calm” about whether negotiations with the EU should continue and would focus on Mr Johnson and Mrs Truss on a problem.
The ongoing debate over the right approach to the Protocol means that there will be no legislative measures for it in the Queen’s speech this Tuesday, with proposals for a bill replaced by “anodic” language that ministers will try to resolve border issues.
The Veterans Bill is “included in the Queen’s speech”
However, The Telegraph understands that the speech will include the government’s long-awaited veterans bill, which has been modified so that the amnesty for prosecuting troublesome crimes does not apply to those who refuse to give up intelligence on unsolved murders. .
The bill was rewritten after its draft amnesty, which offered a full amnesty, was criticized by those who did not think it would provide enough incentive for former IRA fighters to cooperate in investigators’ investigations.
The Secretary of Northern Ireland is considering imposing fines on fighters who refuse to cooperate, but has decided to deny them access to the statute of limitations unless they work with the process.
The decision is likely to anger Sinn Fein and could jeopardize Westminster’s position as a mediator in power-sharing talks in the coming weeks.
However, a Whitehall source said the UK would not abandon its commitment to veterans because Sinn Fein did well in last week’s election.
“We will not delay progress on legislation to help victims and survivors of adversity and protect our veterans,” they said.
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