Brexit - Martin McGuinness: North will feel fallout
The Sinn Féin member said Brexit was driven by the internal politics of the Britain’s Conservative party.
British prime minister, Theresa May, has said her government will begin exit negotiations next year.
Mr McGuinness said: “This British government is embarked on a collision course with the European Union and this is happening at the behest of a very selfish approach.
“This is all about the internal machinations of the Conservative party and, of course, it appears that we are going to be the collateral damage, in terms of politics and in terms of our economy, in the time ahead.”
Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU by a 56% majority, while the UK voted to leave. Ms May has said the UK will leave as one union.
Meanwhile, Stormont’s first minister, Arlene Foster, said Northern Ireland could have greater flexibility in attracting foreign direct investment after Brexit.
European Union state aid rules limit the use of government incentives to encourage overseas businesses to establish offices in Northern Ireland.
Stormont ministers will also have the freedom not to charge householders for water, after Brexit, the DUP leader added.
Mrs Foster said she and Mr McGuinness were focused on achieving what was best for Northern Ireland, and would work with the UK and Irish governments.
She said: “The deputy first minister and I have been very clear that we want to be directly involved in any negotiations, so that we can put forward what is right for all of the people of Northern Ireland, regardless of whether they voted to remain or voted to leave, because what we are focused on, now, is what is best for the people of Northern Ireland.”
She said access to the single market was important, but listed the benefits of leaving the union. “If we were still members of the EU continuing, we would have to deal with the issue of domestic water charges, we would have to deal with the inflexibility in relation to attracting foreign direct investment.
“And, also, we would have to deal with state aid rules, as well. The negotiations will be long, they will be protracted, and we, as a country, should not be lacking in our ambitions.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, should focus on helping Scotland cope with Brexit, rather than trying to “wish away” the referendum result, Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, has said.
The first minister was attempting to use the issue as a “constitutional chisel” to break up the UK, instead of listening to the concerns of businesses, she said. Ms Sturgeon campaigned in London ahead of the June 23 vote, so had then accepted it was an issue for all of the UK.
