This Sort Of British Move More Likely To Re-Ignite Troubles Than A Hard Border

The article below by the News Letter’s Sam McBride which appeared last Thursday illustrates where, in my view, the danger of renewed violence in the North really lies.

Not at a Brexit-bred hard Border but by the British indulging the DUP in order to keep Boris Johnson in Downing Street and in the process abandoning the balance implicit in the Good Friday Agreement.

Now, you could argue that the Northern Ireland Office’s decision to remove the British monarch’s photograph from the walls of Stormont House was a step too far in the direction of Sinn Fein. And you would be right, even though human rights legislation and not just an over-indulgent NIO official could be blamed.

But having taken that decision, a new Northern Secretary reversing it at this sensitive time sends a pretty loud message, particularly since Unionists were outraged at the decision to remove royal portraits and putting them back looks like a climb-down to pressure.

If I was a Shinner or one of their supporters I’d be worried. You can read the full article here: