Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has issued an invitation to EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier to visit her Border constituency of Fermanagh South Tyrone.

The Sinn Féin MP was writing in the context of what she sees as several worrying announcements from leading Tory Brexiteers about their ignorance and indifference towards the border.

Michelle Gildernew MP said: “European negotiators have made clear their intentions to protect the north of Ireland within the Customs Union in the event of Britain failing to present a credible plan to avoid a hard Border.
“As the Tory-DUP Brexit pact ignores the reality of their impending hard border in Ireland, I am inviting the lead EU negotiator to witness the disastrous impact that Brexit would have on workers and communities in Fermanagh South Tyrone.

“Designated Special Status for the north of Ireland within the EU is the only means by which we can protect the Peace Process and the rights and livelihoods of citizens, north or south.”

A solution to Brexit will not be found at Westminster, Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew has said.

Her party is under renewed pressure to abandon its policy of its MPs not taking their seats at Westminster.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called on Sinn Fein to take its seats, suggesting that the party could hold the balance of power in a vote about backing a customs union with the EU after Brexit.

“It is often the case, historically, that Irish MPs elected in the House of Commons find that their votes don’t matter but if you look back historically there actually were periods when they held the balance of power and were really able to make things better for Ireland. I would hope that those who could cast their votes will bear that in mind,” said Mr. Varadkar.

But Ms Gildernew, a Fermanagh-south Tyrone representative, refuted the suggestion, telling this newspaper that Sinn Féin goes to the electorate in Westminster elections “seeking an abstentionist mandate.”

“In June 2017, 240,000 voters elected seven Sinn Féin MPs on this mandate. We are elected as MPs by people who vote for Sinn Féin not to take seats at Westminster.

“The people of Ireland will not find a solution to Brexit in the parliament that is imposing it. On Brexit, Irish people in the north look to Sinn Féin to defend their interests in Belfast, Dublin and Brussels,” she said.