Leave vote ‘good news’ for Northern Ireland – Edwin Poots

The DUP’s Edwin Poots has welcomed the UK's vote to leave the EU, stating it is “good news for the people of Northern Ireland”.

“The citizens of the United Kingdom have voted to be a sovereign nation once again and a nation where democracy can be manifested as opposed to unelected appointed commissioners making many decisions affecting everyday life,” the MLA said.

Commenting on NI's vote to remain, he continued: “We are one nation of the United Kingdom and that nation has made the decision, no one part of that nation will have the opportunity to veto that so the decision stands and we support that decision.

“It is up to us now to make the best of the circumstances we find ourselves in, to ensure that the United Kingdom economy grows.”

He also dismissed Sinn Féin’s call for a border poll.

“I would be calm about a border poll because if that referendum was called I would be absolutely and totally confident that it would be an overwhelming majority to stay with the United Kingdom,” he said.

“In any event it is for the Secretary of State to call that referendum on the basis that there is a prospect there actually being a united Ireland.

“There is no prospect of there being a united Ireland, it is a churlish and childish call to actually be seeking a border poll at this point but I don’t think any of us have anything to fear from any such poll.”