EU trying to bully us over Ulster – IDS

BRUSSELS is trying to ‘bully’ Britain into remaining in the customs union by stoking fears about violence in Northern Ireland, Iain Duncan Smith said yesterday.

The former Tory leader hit out at the EU’s refusal to start trade talks until the UK proves it will not create a ‘hard border’ between Ulster and the Republic.

Neale Richmond, chairman of the Irish senate’s Brexit committee, has warned a hard border would be ‘massively damaging to a very, very fragile peace process’.

But Mr Duncan Smith said keeping trade flowing freely over the border without the need for checkpoints was ‘very doable’ using modern technology.

He urged Brussels and Dublin to ‘put politics to one side and sort these things out practically’, adding: ‘We have got the EU trying to put pressure on the Government to stay in the customs union. They are trying to use the Irish issue to bully the British.’ ÷Taxpayers will be spared at least £109million of spending next year by not taking part in European Parliament elections, the Government has revealed.

The UK’s impending exit from the EU next year means voters will no longer be required to choose MEPs. Additional savings will be made as Britain’s ends contributions to fund the European Parliament.