Brussels is holding Britain hostage by using Irish border problem to keep us tied to EU, Michael Gove fears
The leading Brexiteer says the issue is being used as a 'Trojan horse'
BRITAIN is being "held hostage" by Brussels over the Irish border, Michael Gove has warned.
The leading Brexiteer is reportedly worried that the EU will use the issue to keep us permanently tied to its laws.
Mr Gove told allies Brussels was exploiting the row over the border as a "Trojan horse" to water down Brexit, .
Theresa May has previously signed up to a controversial "backstop" plan intended to keep the Irish border open.
The proposal - which will take effect only if there is no trade deal - would see Northern Ireland keep the same trade rules as the Republic.
Mr Gove, the Environment Secretary, wants the PM to refuse to ratify the backstop formally, fearing that it would keep the UK in Europe's customs union and single market.
Speaking at a private dinner, he reportedly said the plan was a "Trojan horse" and warned the EU wants to "hold us hostage".
He added that if we accept the backstop, "We won't have all the negotiating cards we would want."
A spokesman for Mr Gove declined to comment.
Both Britain and the EU have vowed to forge a bespoke solution to the Irish border question.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
But last December, they agreed that the backstop would take effect if they failed to strike a deal.
The plan would force Northern Ireland to adhere to the laws of the customs union and the single market, so that goods can flow freely across the border.
But that would either create a hard border between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain - or force the whole UK to adopt EU rules.
How the Irish border row flared up
THE question of the Irish border has become one of the most furious rows of the Brexit process.
At the moment, there are no controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic, because EU rules apply on both sides of the border.
That means goods can flow across without restrictions, and businesses can operate in both countries easily.
All sides - Britain, the Republic of Ireland and the EU - agree that the border should remain open after Brexit.
But they haven't been able to agree on how to do it.
Theresa May has ruled out keeping the whole UK in Europe's customs union, because it would stop us striking trade deals around the world.
Another option - for Northern Ireland to adopt customs union rules while the rest of the UK diverges - has also been shot down.
That plan would effectively create a border in the Irish Sea, which is unacceptable to Mrs May's DUP allies.
The Government is hoping to introduce new technology which automatically checks goods as they cross the border, eliminating the need for physical infrastructure.
Another plan, hated by Brexiteers, would see Britain collect tariffs on behalf of the EU for goods entering the UK.
But neither proposal has been approved by the EU ahead of a crunch summit next month.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours
