Threat to open Irish border

Sir, - In her visit to Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister said that “nobody wants to return to the borders of the past”, with the reintroduction of border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

It is, however, difficult to see how this situation can be asserted, given that on Brexit, Northern Ireland would be the only part of the UK with a land border with another EU state.

The Leave campaign and those voting for Brexit were to an extent doing so largely on the basis that immigrants from the EU would face greater controls.

It is, therefore, hard to see that the free movement of EU nationals can possibly continue as this would see EU nationals coming into the Republic then to Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

It is also unlikely the EU would allow an open-door policy with a non-EU state.

Reference by Ms May to the Common Travel Area between the UK and Republic of Ireland, dating from 1923, is no longer relevant. Both of these joined what was the EEC at the same time, ensuring that this area could continue.

On Brexit, this becomes null and void as both states have chosen very different paths.

It is difficult to see how an open border could continue between a UK which is looking to limit immigration from the EU, and a Republic of Ireland which allows for the free movement of EU nationals.