Minister ‘ordered port staff withdrawal after questioning police grasp of risks’

Edwin Poots requested on Monday evening for staff to be withdrawn from Belfast and Larne ports (Liam McBurney/PA)

A Stormont minister who ordered the withdrawal of port inspectors conducting Brexit checks had been informed that police did not believe there was an increased threat risk.

In asking senior officials to stand down staff at Belfast and Larne ports on Monday night, Edwin Poots expressed doubts that the PSNI had a “full understanding of the risks”, an Assembly committee heard.