Allister urges Gov to tighten border controls amid concerns over EU access via Republic of Ireland

TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister

TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister has called on the UK Government to confront what he describes as a continued loophole allowing “unfettered access” for Eastern Europeans into Northern Ireland via the Republic of Ireland — a situation he argues undermines the UK’s departure from the European Union.

In a strongly worded statement, Mr Allister expressed concern that despite Brexit’s supposed end to freedom of movement, a de facto open border remains between Northern Ireland and the Republic, with little to no UK government control being exercised.

“There is an urgent need for the Government to address, rather than run away from, the unfettered access of Eastern Europeans through the Republic to Northern Ireland,” he said.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader criticised what he sees as a lack of serious governmental response, contrasting the strong rhetoric around Channel crossings and small boats with what he perceives to be a blind spot at the Northern Ireland land border.

“Though we are supposed to have seen an end to ‘freedom of movement’ upon leaving the EU, the reality is that it has effectively continued via the Republic, made easy by HMG’s refusal to exercise any control of the border,” he stated.

Allister vowed to maintain pressure on the Government, highlighting what he describes as inconsistencies in immigration enforcement policy. He argued that while the Government prioritises high-profile immigration routes, such as illegal Channel crossings, it has failed to act on the easier and legally murkier route through the island of Ireland.

“I will continue to press the Government on these issues. HMG talks incessantly about tackling the small boats, but makes no pretence of addressing this other, and even easier, access point,” he added.

Protocol implications

Allister further pointed to the ongoing complexities introduced by the Northern Ireland Protocol, suggesting that it hinders the application of UK-wide immigration protections in the region.

He referenced the recent UK-Rwanda immigration case to emphasise how post-Brexit constitutional arrangements might obstruct legislative uniformity across the UK.

“The Protocol has the added potential of making things even worse, because, as the Rwanda case demonstrated, we can’t even apply in NI protections passed by the U.K. parliament,” Allister noted.

Context and reactions

The statement is likely to reignite debate over the management of the UK’s only land border with the EU. Since the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has remained open in line with the Good Friday Agreement, though this has continued to raise challenges regarding immigration enforcement.

Immigration policy and the Northern Ireland Protocol remain central issues in UK-EU relations and domestic unionist concerns.