David Davis secures first Brexit win ahead of Monday’s crunch talks with Northern Ireland over border deal
BRITAIN chalked up its first victory in its battle for a decent Brexit deal – hours before crunch talks begin.
EU chiefs caved in to David Davis’s demands that the Northern Ireland border is made a priority issue.
They had insisted on holding it back as a bargaining chip for later on in the negotiations.
But the Brexit Secretary backed them into a corner and they have now agreed it will be up for discussion when talks kick off tomorrow.
David Davis is keen for a deal that avoids a return to checkpoints along the 310-mile border between the north and the Irish Republic.
The European Commission were desperate to keep it off the table because it would involve discussions on trade and customs.
But a last-ditch climbdown means it will top the agenda along with the divorce bill and the rights of EU and British citizens after Brexit.
A Whitehall source said last night: “This is a clear sign that the Commission has caved in to our highly determined negotiators who have been supported throughout by the Irish.
“The Prime Minister has always been clear that this was an early priority for us from the start so we’ve made this a red-line issue for us in preparing for this negotiation.”
Mr Davis heads into the first official talks in Brussels tomorrow insisting his mission will be to clinch a Brexit deal that works for the whole nation.
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EU leaders have tried to leave open the possibility of the UK remaining members, but he will make clear we will leave.
He declared: “There should be no doubt – we are leaving the EU and delivering on that historic referendum result.
“Now the hard work begins. We must secure a deal that works for all parts of the UK and enables us to become a truly global Britain.
“Leaving gives us the opportunity to forge a bright new future, one where we are free to control our borders, pass our own laws and do what independent sovereign countries do.”
The government will soon introduce Bills for new immigration and customs systems and the Great Repeal Bill will move all EU law into UK law.
Mr Davis added: “There has been a huge amount of work across Whitehall to prepare us for these talks and make sure we get the best possible deal.
“We are not turning our backs on Europe. It’s vital that the deal we strike allows both the UK and the EU to thrive as part of a new deep and special partnership we want with our closest allies and friends.
“These talks will be difficult at points, but we shall be approaching them in a constructive and respectful way.”
Trade Secretary Liam Fox flies to Washington today on his first overseas trip since the election.
He will meet a Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill to explore ways to deepen trade and economic links between the two countries.
Britain and America enjoy trade deals worth £150billion a year, making them the single biggest source of inward investment.
Dr Fox will meet US trade envoy Robert Lighthizer and attend an investment summit to deliver a speech setting out the principles of free trade.
He said: “Our work as an international economic department has never been more critical. This visit will help lay the groundwork for a potential future free trade agreement and the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with each other more easily.”