Theresa May says she does not want a return to past border controls in Northern Ireland

THERESA May has seen off a fresh bid to split Ulster away from the UK by declaring there will be no new border posts with Ireland after Brexit.

On her first trip to Belfast as PM yesterday, Mrs May insisted that “nobody wants to return to the borders of the past”.

The declaration came after Sinn Fein last week demanded a fresh referendum to unite Ireland.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed Britain’s walkout from the EU would mean a hard border enforced between the north and the south, a breach of the Good Friday peace agreement.

But after holding “constructive talks” with the veteran Sinn Fein boss and First Minister Arlene Foster, Mrs May said the dilemma will be resolved.

Her spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister and the Northern Ireland Secretary have been clear that we don’t want to see a return to the controls of the past and that means we are now going to need to have very detailed discussions so we can work out a solution.”

Last month’s EU referendum result has sparked a fresh bout of political chaos in Northern Ireland, where 56% voted to Remain.

The result has sparked a renewed debate on a potential referendum on Irish reunification with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state.

Sinn Fein have demanded a nationwide vote on whether the province should break away from the UK after claiming that border controls with the south would breach the Good Friday peace agreement.

Britain’s new PM has pledged to keep the United Kingdom together as one of the main goals of her rule.

Her trip today to meet Northern Ireland’s First and deputy First Ministers for talks follows similar ones to Edinburgh and Cardiff last week.

The PM added: “What we want to do is find a way through this that is going to work and deliver a practical solution for everybody.

“It’s part of the work we’re doing to ensure that we make a success of the UK leaving the EU and that we come out of this with a deal in the interest of the whole of the UK.”

On her trip she is making it clear that the Government will engage fully with the Northern Ireland Executive as it prepares the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the European Union, recognising the particular circumstances that affect Northern Ireland – including around the border with the Republic of Ireland.

She added: “I am delighted to be visiting Northern Ireland.

“I made clear when I became Prime Minister that I place particular value on the precious bonds between the nations of the United Kingdom.

“I want to assure the people of Northern Ireland that I will lead a government which works for everyone across all parts of the United Kingdom, and that Northern Ireland is a special and valued part of that union.

“I look forward to underlining the government’s commitment to the Belfast Agreement and its institutions, and to working with local parties and the Irish Government to fully implement the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements.

“Peace and stability in Northern Ireland will always be of the highest priority for my government.”

The province voted to stay in the EU at the referendum a month ago, mirroring Scotland’s vote against Brexit.

But England and Wales both voted to leave, by 53% to 47%.

Mrs May will host Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny in No10 today for more talks on the tinderbox issue.

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