Barnier’s concession paves way to a deal

THERESA May’s push for a Brexit deal gained a significant boost last night when the EU’s chief negotiator offered to make fresh proposals to resolve the Irish border row.

In a major climb down, Michel Barnier said the EU was ready to accept high-tech customs checks as an alternative to a “hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

His offer, on the eve of an informal EU summit in Austria, could overcome the biggest obstacle to a trade deal and is expected to be discussed by the Prime Minister and other European leaders at the gathering in Salzburg tonight.

Last night Mr Barnier said: “We are ready to improve this proposal. What we are talking about here is not a border – not a land border, not a sea border. It is a set of technical checks and controls.

“I hope that on the basis of simple, practical, objective provisions we will be able to find a situation where the improved backstop is acceptable. It will not in any case take the form of a border because we respect the territorial integrity of the UK and we respect the constitutional order of the UK. We will find a practical and operational solution.”

Mrs May will warn that Brussels must offer concessions to ensure a Brexit deal and Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said yesterday the “ball is in the European Union’s court” to strike a deal.

A Government source said: “Neither side can demand the unacceptable of the other, such as an external customs border between different parts of the UK.”