Irish border proposals haven’t been rejected, Downing Street claims

DOWNING STREET has insisted Britain is sticking by its proposals for keeping the Irish border open after Brexit, amid reports they have been rejected by Brussels.

A Number 10 spokesman said the UK does not recognise claims that the plans were subjected to a “systematic and forensic annihilation” by EU officials at a meeting this week with Britain’s lead negotiator Olly Robbins.

quoted unnamed EU diplomatic sources as saying that the Brussels officials delivered “a detailed and forensic rebuttal”, making clear that “none of the UK customs options will work – none of them”. It came as Britain’s former ambassador to the EU, Sir Ivan Rogers, said UK hopes of finding a technological solution to the border issue were regarded as “a fantasy island unicorn model” in European capitals.

But Downing Street said the UK will continue to negotiate on the basis of the two proposals set out in a position paper last summer, which envisage either a close economic relationship which would make customs checks unnecessary or technological solutions to render them near-frictionless.

The Downing Street spokesman said: “We are confident that in the coming months, if all sides work together productively, we can achieve a solution to the Ireland/Northern Ireland border that works for everyone involved.”

He said Number 10 was “not aware” of suggestions that chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier had put trade talks on hold. A joint report on the UK’s withdrawal agreed in December by Mrs May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker included both British proposals, along with a third “backstop” option which would keep Northern Ireland in the Customs Union.