Writing in todays Newsletter Diana said:

"The Secretary of State and I agree on the most important thing in his article: this is a place of real opportunity. I hear too much negativity about the Northern Ireland economy. There is confidence out there, there is ambition in our business community, and I welcome a Secretary of State who says plainly that Northern Ireland benefits from being part of the United Kingdom.

"Where we differ is on the analysis. Sir Chris describes our dual market position as a unique advantage. Businesses in my constituency and across Northern Ireland would put it differently. They see costs on goods coming from Great Britain and paperwork their competitors in England do not face.

"If Sir Chris genuinely believes Northern Ireland benefits from the Union, and I take him at his word, then strengthening the Union means addressing the internal barriers within it, not repackaging them as an opportunity. That means using the veterinary and agri-food negotiations to strip out the checks, and doing it at pace.

"He says he will be an honest broker. Honest brokerage begins with an honest account of the Irish Sea border and its cost to businesses here."