Theresa May sparks DUP fury over offer to ‘keep Northern Ireland tied to EU after Brexit’ as Scotland demands the same deal
The Prime Minister has been negotiating with EU bosses in Brussels
THERESA MAY today faced a Brexit backlash after she apparently offered the EU a deal which would effectively keep Northern Ireland in the single market.
The British Government is believed to have called for “regulatory alignment” between Northern Ireland and the Republic, in a bid to avoid a hard border in Ireland.
But the suggestion led to fury from the DUP, which props up Mrs May in Parliament, because it would keep Northern Ireland tied closely to the EU and potentially divide the province from mainland Britain.
It also saw pro-EU politicians from Scotland, Wales and London call for special deals for their own regions after Brexit.
The PM and EU boss Jean-Claude Juncker revealed tonight that they had failed to strike a deal which will allow the next stage of Brexit talks to begin.
But they vowed to continue negotiations later this week, in order to strike an agreement in time for a meeting of European leaders next week.
A draft of the deal between Britain and the EU suggested that border controls in Ireland will be avoided by keeping the same rules on trade in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
That caused an instant backlash from the DUP because it could mean that Northern Ireland ended up with different regulations to Great Britain, creating an effective border in the Irish Sea.
Party leader Arlene Foster said in a statement: "We have been very clear. Northern Ireland must leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the United Kingdom.
"We will not accept any form of regulatory divergence which separates Northern Ireland economically or politically from the rest of the United Kingdom.
"The economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom will not be compromised in any way.”
The DUP has pledged to support the Government over all Brexit-related issues - but senior figures said last week they would abandon their deal with the Tories altogether rather than compromise on the border.
The importance of Mrs Foster to the Government’s survival was shown when Mrs May phoned her from Brussels just minutes after finishing lunch with Mr Juncker.
Brexit-backing Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg said the draft agreement would "dismantle the United Kingdom and give in to the demands of the EU".
After the draft agreement was leaked this morning, anti-Brexit leaders jumped on it as proof that part of the UK could keep a closer relationship with Europe.
Nicola Sturgeon wrote on Twitter: “If one part of UK can retain regulatory alignment with EU and effectively stay in the single market (which is the right solution for Northern Ireland) there is surely no good practical reason why others can't.”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, added: “Huge ramifications for London if Theresa May has conceded that it's possible for part of the UK to remain within the single market and customs union after Brexit.
“Londoners overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU and a similar deal here could protect tens of thousands of jobs.”
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Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “We cannot allow different parts of the UK to be more favourably treated than others.
“If one part of the UK is granted continued participation in the Single Market & Customs Union, then we fully expect to be made the same offer.”
Avoiding a hard border in Ireland is believed to be the final stumbling block in completing the first phase of Brexit talks and moving on to trade negotiations.