Irish border a ‘backdoor’ for migrants
Free movement threat to Brexit goals
EU migrants could slip in via Northern Ireland following Brexit under plans set out yesterday.
Westminster wants to continue the Common Travel Area between Britain and Ireland – opening a potential “backdoor” that undermines Brexiteers’ goals of ending freedom of movement and regaining control of our borders.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “In committing to keep the Common Travel Area, we’re making sure UK and Irish citizens will continue to be able to travel, live, work and study across both countries.”
But critics pointed out this means EU citizens could travel to Ireland, show their passport there and continue to the UK with no more checks. EU migrants could still need visas to work here legally, so by entering without British checks they would risk exploitation by gangmasters. Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey said: “This plan has more holes in it than a colander. “The Brexiteers claimed it was worth damaging the economy to reclaim control of our borders, now we’re told even this isn’t going to happen.” Ministers will reveal more on Brexit immigration plans in the autumn. Meanwhile, the next phase of Brexit talks is likely to be delayed from October until December while a new German government is formed.