Stormont's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald (Sinn Fein) is facing a legal challenge over her bid to exclude Northern Ireland from any involvement in trade talks between the UK and Israel. The pre-action protocol letter has been issued by pro-union think tank Unionist Voice Policy Studies (UVPS), which argues she has no authority to act on international trade policy as it is not a devolved matter.
The legal threat also challenges Archibald's decision to instruct officials at Invest NI, Stormont's business support agency, not to provide financial assistance to any companies arming Israel. This followed a review she commissioned to establish if businesses receiving Invest NI grant funding had links to Israeli arms manufacturing.
Minister's controversial measures
Archibald made a written statement to the Assembly on Thursday announcing what she called "additional measures" to "eliminate any risk of public funds being used to support the manufacture of arms or components that are used for genocide". She said Invest NI had provided assurance that it "does not support projects that manufacture arms or their components for supply to Israel".
The minister committed that her department "will not engage in the British Government's trade talks with Israel while it continues to illegally occupy and impose apartheid on Palestine". She also said her department would seek confirmation from companies seeking Invest NI support that "they are not manufacturing arms or components for countries committing genocide".
Political opposition mounts
The DUP has launched a move in the Assembly to have the matter referred to the wider Stormont Executive for discussion. TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister has submitted a request for an urgent debate on the issue in the House of Commons.
Under Stormont rules, ministers are obliged to refer matters deemed significant and controversial to the whole powersharing Executive for collective decision, rather than acting unilaterally. A pre-action protocol is the first step required to challenge a minister's decision in the courts.
Legal challenge details
UVPS, whose director is loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, argues the minister's decision is "plainly unlawful". The group said: "The decision of the Minister for Economy to purport to exclude Northern Ireland from the sovereign Government's trade talks with Israel is plainly unlawful."
The organisation claims Archibald is acting in a non-devolved area and is "plainly far beyond her functions and responsibilities". UVPS also argues her stance "amounts to clear discrimination on the ground of political opinion against any business who supports Israel".
Bryson is separately taking legal action against Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins over a decision to install Irish language signs in Belfast's Grand Central Station. The Department for the Economy has been approached for comment.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
