The High Court has ruled that the UK government's £1 billion deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is unlawful, in a landmark decision that could have significant political repercussions. The ruling came in response to a crowdfunded legal challenge brought by Ciaran McClean, a former Green Party candidate in Northern Ireland.
Two judges, Lord Justice Sales and Mr Justice Lewis, rejected McClean's application for a judicial review, stating that neither of the grounds he relied on was 'properly arguable in a court of law'. McClean had argued that the deal breached the Good Friday Agreement and the Bribery Act, describing it as a 'corrupt bargain' that involved 'buying DUP votes'.
The £1 billion agreement, struck in June 2017, saw the DUP's 10 MPs pledge to support the Conservative minority government on key votes, including the Queen's Speech, the budget, and Brexit legislation. In return, Northern Ireland received a significant financial boost. The government had maintained that the funding was lawful and for the benefit of all communities in Northern Ireland.
Despite the court's refusal to grant a judicial review, the ruling has sparked debate about the legality of such political agreements. A government spokeswoman welcomed the decision, stating: 'We believe the claim is groundless and the court has agreed with that view.' The DUP has not yet commented on the ruling.
