The Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland (DUP) is set to vote this week against key provisions of the British government’s agreement with Brussels on trade between the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland (EU) in the post-Brexit era, its leader said today. Geoffrey Donaldson.

On Wednesday, the British Parliament will debate and be called to vote on the so-called Stormont brake, a key element of a deal that gives the UK the ability to block the application of EU laws to products in Northern Ireland if a third of them ask for it from members of Northern Ireland’s parliament.

Opposition to the DUP is a setback for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. However, the deal is likely to be voted on as it is backed by the opposition Labor Party.

However, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson hinted that his party might be happy with a modified version of today’s deal.

“We will continue to work with the government on all outstanding issues related to the Windsor Framework package (including the new London-Brussels deal) to try to restore the fragile political balance in Northern Ireland,” Donaldson said.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters.