Mr Tennyson was speaking after the Secretary of State announced he would not be triggering the Stormont Brake, which was requested by unionist parties around EU changes to rules on packaging and labelling of chemicals.
“Alliance warned of the risk the Stormont Brake would be abused as a lightning rod for partisan purposes, rather than being wielded as intended only in exceptional circumstances as the UK Government intended,” said the Upper Bann MLA.
“The triggering of the Brake follows the Assembly’s Democratic Scrutiny Committee being unable to reach a view on the regulation’s impact. This is a scenario which could well have been avoided if more comprehensive information had been provided by the UK Government at an earlier stage.
“Where there are issues arising from an EU regulation, this should be addressed at the earliest possible opportunity through engagement between the UK Government and the European Commission. The UK Government may also consider alignment for the whole UK and I would urge them to keep this possible scenario under review.
“Ultimately, it is only through closer alignment and cooperation between the UK and the EU that the impact of Brexit will be mitigated.”