EU, UK agree on tentative deal on Brexit
Northern Irish DUP rejects customs plan
LONDON: The European Union and the British government have finally clinched a new deal setting the terms of Britain’s exit from the bloc.
However, it needs to be approved by the British parliament in order to take effect and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party does not have a majority in the House of Commons.
EU and UK negotiators had worked overnight on a compromise withdrawal deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to present to his counterparts.
But, as dawn broke over Brussels, Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) dramatically rejected the accord, which would see the Britishruled province remain under EU customs and Value Added Tax (VAT) rules.
Prior to the official announcement, DUP leaders Arlene Foster and Nigel Dodds, released a statement on the matter.
“As things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT,” the statement said.
“We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.”
“We will have to consider our options in the light of the situation,” a senior EU official said.
“Maybe we have a deal or maybe not.” EU leaders will be loath to approve another withdrawal agreement only to see it rejected in London as happened with the last Brexit deal.
“We still don’t know how things evolve,” the EU official said.
“So far member states have demonstrated incredible patience.”
In London, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said that the “sell-out deal” won’t bring the country together and should be rejected.
“The best way to get Brexit sorted is to give the people the final say in a public vote,” he said, before adding that Labour would not vote for the deal in parliament.
Similarly, Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP), said that the Brexit deal envisaged by Mr Johnson is one which sees a much looser relationship with the EU when it comes to issues like food standards, environmental protections and workers’ rights.
“Scotland did not vote for Brexit in any form, and SNP MPs [lawmakers] will not vote for Brexit in any form,” she said.
Reactions from the pro-Brexit camp were also not encouraging.
“Would I rather accept a new European treaty that is, frankly, very bad for us, or would I prefer to have an extension, and a general election?” said Nigel Farage of the Brexit Party.
“I would always go for the latter option. I genuinely believe that a clean break and being able to be competitive is the absolute key to our future economic success. We cannot do that with this new treaty.”
Iain Duncan Smith, senior MP and former Conservative leader strongly in favour of Brexit, said that he’s “reserving his position” on the matter.
“I want to understand the DUP’s position on some of the details before deciding whether to vote for the deal or not,” he said.
Under the measures to replace the so-called “Irish backstop” in the previous failed agreement floated by Mr Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May, Northern Ireland will remain a British legal territory but trade under EU regulations.
This is intended to prevent the return of a hard border with EU-member Ireland. But, because it would involve some customs and tax checks with the rest of the UK, it raised the hackles of the pro-British DUP.