Northern Ireland does not trust Boris Johnson as an «honest broker».

British opposition leader Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of «betraying» the people of Northern Ireland.

The British Labor leader was speaking during two days of official clashes in the north with Shadow Foreign Secretary Louise Hay.

Reflecting on his six-year work in Northern Ireland with the police in the early 2000s, Starmer said he had learned the importance of trust and the role of the UK government as an honest broker holding communities together.

There are tensions around the Northern Ireland protocol, with unionists claiming that additional checks on goods are putting a border under the Irish Sea.

There have been demonstrations against the protocol as well as legal challenges to it.

Starmer told the Belfast PA News Agency that Boris Johnson «has not been upfront about the consequences» of the protocol.

«He’s now pretending it’s somebody else’s problem,» he said, «and in Northern Ireland he wouldn’t wash.»

“There has to be a practical way forward on this, and I think there is a practical way forward if the parties are flexible and negotiate, but the most important thing is trust.

“There is a positive future here, but it requires the British government to get its role right, and I think this Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has betrayed the people of Northern Ireland by not honoring that (the UK government as an honest broker), and the words that have been used Well in every meeting I’ve had here in Northern Ireland is the mistrust of the Prime Minister as an honest broker.

«This is a huge piece missing.»

Starmer visited Forge Integrated Primary School in Belfast this morning before meeting Northern Ireland Police Chief Simon Byrne at the city’s police headquarters.

The Labor leader later met with the five major political parties in Stormont.

He said the Good Friday Agreement and its promise of peace «should not be taken for granted.»

«Back in Northern Ireland today, I can see how much is still at stake,» he said.

«Peace here has been built on the trust, courage and commitment of Northern Ireland’s communities and political leaders. I have felt that while working here in the years since Good Friday. With these values ​​in mind, I will go to today’s important meetings.»

«This morning, I saw the transformation that peace has helped make at an integrated school in Belfast. I saw smiles of hope from young people as they looked to the future. Whether we were in Westminster or Stormont, as political leaders, we owe it to that generation to keep the promise of the Good Friday Agreement.»

We must realize that trust is fragile and progress is stalled. I understand the concerns of the communities and businesses here about the problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol. I’m here to listen and advocate for serious and practical solutions.»

Starmer listened to the concerns of the five parties, including opposition to the Protocol from unionists.

Speaking to the media after the meetings, Starmer said confidence in the prime minister had been «an all-time low» in Northern Ireland.

He said the UK negotiating a deal on veterinary standards that could reduce the need for checks in the Irish Sea would be a «big step in the right direction».

They have discussed such a deal with all parties, Haig said, adding that there is «relative consensus that is part of the solution.»

She said: «It is not the only thing but ultimately we need to see the British government return to the negotiating table with the European Union and use the mechanisms of the protocol to reach this agreement.»

“Continuing to propose unilateral mechanisms is not a sustainable solution and unfortunately that is what we expect to happen in the next two weeks from (Brexit Secretary) David Frost.

«We need to see consensus and this confidence to find sustainable solutions for Northern Ireland.»

The Irish government has said an agreement on SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary), similar to the one between Switzerland and the European Union, could cancel 80% of checks.

Starmer and Haig went to meet with victims of the unrest this evening.