Spokesperson on the Windsor Framework, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said, “Today Lord Murphy’s Independent review of the Windsor Framework has been published. Within it, he clearly identifies many of the challenges that the WF had brought, and bringing his considerable experience of NI to bear, he has made a series of 16 recommendations that could (and should) be adopted.

“But his report does not deal with the fundamental challenge.

“However, as indicated by the rapidly evolving state of international trade, with some Irish figures indicating that the differential between EU and UK US tariffs could cause them to consider (again) Article 16 of the Protocol to prevent ‘diversions of trade’, the UK’s ‘Faithful Implementers’ seem happy to allow ever greater diversion within our internal market. Areas that are specifically not covered and go to the fundamental concerns many of us have in the Windsor Framework.

“Lord Murphy's report was created whilst the UK Government negotiated a ‘reset deal’ with the EU and it is noted that this aspect receives a brief mention.

“However, whilst recognising that trade difficulties exist and the reset deal alludes to addressing these through legislation, that alone will take 2 years or more and will bring no relief to those impacted by red tape, needless paperwork and financial cost that is simply hindering business and turning investment away.

“With the Welsh government taking the pragmatic decision to stop wasting public money on border facilities at its ports, just why are we charging down the faithful implementation route that is both highly divisive and costly? Larne and Belfast's border posts alone could pay for a lot of healthcare workers or police.

“Lord Murphy has done his job; it’s just not far enough.”