PM’s shift in Brexit

Boris Johnson’s policy change aimed to push agreement through

LONDON: Boris Johnson delivered a major policy shift on Brexit yesterday that would see the contentious Irish “backstop” border plan averted.

New details of Britain’s Brexit plans were released yesterday, just days before the Government presents the European Union with proposals for an amended agreement.

The Prime Minister will offer to keep Northern Ireland under some EU rules until 2025. The Northern Ireland Assembly would then decide at the end of the trial whether to stick with EU rules or switch to UK rules.

Mr Johnson conceded there may be some physical customs checks on goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

But he has ruled out that any checks will be on or near the border. Mr Johnson was to outline specifics in a speech to the Conservative Party’s conference in Manchester last night.

“Voters are desperate for us to focus on their other priorities – what people want, what leavers want, what remainers want, what the whole world wants – is to move on,” he was set to say. “That is why we are coming out of the EU on October 31. Let’s get Brexit done – we can, we must and we will.”

Mr Johnson was also to take aim at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn saying he wanted to delay Brexit and offer Scotland another referendum on independence.

“Can you imagine another three years of this? That is the Corbyn agenda – stay in the EU beyond October 31, paying a billion pounds a month for the privilege, followed by years of uncertainty for business and everyone else,” Mr Johnson planned to say.

He was also set to say that Scotland may separate from the UK if negotiations fail.

Mr Johnson has been battling claims about his personal behaviour while he tries to get Brexit done, refusing to answer questions about an alleged affair with a US businesswoman.