UUP leader attended illegal NI Protocol protest to ‘observe and listen’

Loyalists take part in an anti-Northern Ireland Protocol rally in Portadown. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie has defended his attendance at an illegal protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol in Co Armagh.

The Upper Bann MLA said he turned up at the event on Saturday to observe and listen, and said he was standing well back from the parade.