Irish border deal goes from ‘statement of intent’ to ‘more than legally enforceable’ in 24 hours

Brexit Secretary David Davis has been forced into a U-turn after suggesting the deal struck last week to ensure the Irish border remains open after Brexit was not “legally enforceable”.

He had to reverse his claim within 24 hours, saying the agreement that guarantees ‘full alignment’ between the UK and the EU was “much more than legally enforceable”.

On Sunday, Mr Davis said the plans, thrashed out after days of last-minute wrangling between Downing Street, the 0 David Davis’ comments have been branded bizarre Irish government and the DUP, were a “statement of intent”.

His comments were branded “bizarre” by Irish ministers, which insisted an agreement that the UK will have “full alignment” with the EU on issues that impact on Northern Ireland was “binding”.

Yesterday Mr Davis claimed his words had been “completely twisted”.

He told LBC Radio: “What I actually said yesterday in terms was we want to protect the peace process, want to protect Ireland from the impact of Brexit for them, and I said this was a statement of intent which was much more than just legally enforceable.

“Of course it’s legally enforceable under the withdrawal agreement but even if that didn’t happen for some reason, if something went wrong, we would still be seeking to provide a frictionless invisible border with Ireland.”

Asked why he had said the soft Irish border deal was a statement of intent, Mr Davis replied: “Because it’s more than legally enforceable.

“In the event that the withdrawal agreement doesn’t happen then we would still be seeking to maintain an invisible border between Northern Ireland and Ireland... it’s what we want to do anyway.”

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake MP said Mr Davis’ “acquaintance with the facts is clearly not as deep as it might be”.