Following confirmation by the Prime Minister that plans to bring back double jobbing in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn, Ulster Unionist peer, Lord Empey, said:

“This is a victory for positive dialogue and engagement with Government and other parties. You don`t have to threaten to crash the institutions for unionism to have influence with Government. There is another way.

“Positive engagement with Government and parties is the way forward for unionism as we redouble our efforts to solve the problems created by the ill-judged Protocol by putting forward positive plans to ensure long term stability for Northern Ireland and its institutions.”