Arlene Foster warns EU that DUP will block any move to keep Northern Ireland in customs union
2 min read
DUP leader Arlene Foster has written to every EU leader warning them Northern Ireland will block any attempt to create a border in the Irish Sea after Brexit.
The Westminster kingmaker, who in June signed a £1.5bn deal with the Conservatives to keep Theresa May in office, told supporters Britain would quit the bloc "as one United Kingdom”.
Her dramatic comments come as the issue of the Northern Irish border threatens to become the main sticking point in the Brexit negotiations.
The Republic of Ireland has vowed to block talks moving onto trade if there is any suggestion of re-introducing customs checks along the 310-mile border that separates it from Northern Ireland.
Dublin and the EU have backed the suggestion of a customs border being set up on the British mainland - effectively separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
But Ms Foster has categorically ruled out the idea - arguing it would damage the Union between Northern Ireland and the UK.
Addressing delegates at the DUP conference today, she said her party “will do nothing that puts that at risk in any way”.
“We want a sensible Brexit. A Brexit that works for Northern Ireland and for the United Kingdom.” she declared at the annual get-together at the La Mon hotel and country club just outside Belfast.
“However, we will not support any arrangements that create barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
“Or any suggestion that Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of the UK, will have to mirror European regulations.”
She added: “The economic reality for our economy is that our most important trading relationship is with the rest of the United Kingdom and we will do nothing that puts that at risk in any way.”
Ms Foster said she welcomed assurances by Mrs May that no “internal barriers will be countenanced” after Downing Street was forced to clarify its position yesterday.
A hasty retreat was made after a spokesperson initially told journalists that the possibility of Northern Ireland staying in the customs union was “a matter for negotiation”.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds meanwhile told the conference: “Make no mistake. For us the integrity of the United Kingdom is non-negotiable.
"If the EU wants to insist on border check points on the island of Ireland that is a matter for them. There will be no internal UK border in the Irish Sea."
Yesterday European Council president Donald Tusk told Theresa May she has 10 days to come up with answers on Irish border, citizens' rights and the Brexit divorce bill if she wants negotiations to move onto trade next month.
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