Select committee: Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee
Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework
Open
Opened 2 Jun 2026
Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee is conducting an inquiry into Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework (Article 2 WF), the so-called 'non-diminution of rights' provision. The Committee will examine the scope and implications of Article 2 WF on Northern Ireland and the wider United Kingdom. In light of the recent Supreme Court decision in the Dillon case, the Committee is also interested in the enforceability of Article 2 WF in UK law, as well as the UK Government’s, EU’s, and civil society’s expectations of its operation and application.
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 2 June 2026.
The committee has not published a report yet.
Evidence
- 8 oral evidence sessionsLatest 17 September 2026
- 8 written submissions
- 17 witnesses
Recent activity
- SEFF15 October 2026, Written evidence · ART0030
- Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW)14 October 2026, Written evidence · ART0027
- Liam Kelly (Chair, Police Federation for Northern Ireland), Police Federation for Northern Ireland14 October 2026, Written evidence · ART0028
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Jim Allister MP · Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV),
Jon Burrows MLA · The Ulster Unionist Party,
Matthew O'Toole MLA · Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP),
Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP · Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
|
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| 2 Sep 2026 |
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
|
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| 15 Jul 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Dermot Nesbitt
|
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| 8 Jul 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Dermot Nesbitt,
Mark Durkan,
Professor Monica McWilliams
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| 1 Jul 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Alyson Kilpatrick · Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission,
Dr Claire McCann · Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission,
Éilis Haughey · Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
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| 24 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Professor Christopher McCrudden CBE · Queen's University Belfast,
Samuel Willis · 11KBW
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| 17 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Geraldine McGahey OBE · Equality Commission for Northern Ireland,
Louise Conlon · Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
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| 10 Jun 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Dr Eleni Frantziou · Durham Law School, Durham University,
Professor Brice Dickson · Queen's University Belfast,
Professor Colin Murray · Newcastle University
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Written evidence
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| Reference | Date | Submitter |
|---|---|---|
| ART0030 | 15 Oct 2026 | SEFF |
| ART0027 | 14 Oct 2026 | Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) |
| ART0028 | 14 Oct 2026 | Liam Kelly (Chair, Police Federation for Northern Ireland), Police Federation for Northern Ireland |
| ART0029 | 14 Oct 2026 | The Church Leaders Group (Ireland) |
| ART0026 | 16 Sep 2026 | Disability Action Northern Ireland |
| ART0023 | 3 Sep 2026 | Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) |
| ART0024 | 3 Sep 2026 | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission |
| ART0025 | 3 Sep 2026 | Dr Katie Johnston, Liverpool Law School, University of Liverpool |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Dermot Nesbitt | Not recorded | 2 |
| Alyson Kilpatrick · Chief Commissioner | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission | 1 |
| Dr Claire McCann · Senior Policy and Research Officer | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission | 1 |
| Dr Eleni Frantziou · Associate Professor in Public Law and Human Rights | Durham Law School, Durham University | 1 |
| Geraldine McGahey OBE · Chief Commissioner | Equality Commission for Northern Ireland | 1 |
| Jim Allister MP · Leader | Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) | 1 |
| Jon Burrows MLA · Leader | The Ulster Unionist Party | 1 |
| Louise Conlon · Chief Executive | Equality Commission for Northern Ireland | 1 |
| Mark Durkan | Not recorded | 1 |
| Matthew O'Toole MLA · Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly | Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) | 1 |
| Professor Brice Dickson · Emeritus Professor in the School of Law | Queen's University Belfast | 1 |
| Professor Christopher McCrudden CBE · Barrister at Blackstone Chambers and Emeritus Professor of Human Rights and Equality Law | Queen's University Belfast | 1 |
| Professor Colin Murray · Professor of Law and Democracy | Newcastle University | 1 |
| Professor Monica McWilliams | Not recorded | 1 |
| Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP · Leader | Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) | 1 |
| Samuel Willis · Barrister | 11KBW | 1 |
| Éilis Haughey · Director (Human Rights after EU Withdrawal) | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission | 1 |
Meetings & visits
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| Date | Type | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | Not recorded · Belfast | |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | Not recorded · Room 2A, Palace of Westminster |