Unionists sound warning
LONDON: The Northern Irish party that props up Prime Minister Theresa May’s Government warned yesterday that it could not support a Brexit deal that divided up the United Kingdom.
Less than five months before Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, a deal is 95% done but officials are still haggling over the fate of the land border between Britishruled Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
The Times reported the EU wanted a customs border in the Irish sea in the event of a nodeal Brexit, citing a leaked letter from May to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up her Government.
‘‘The Prime Minister’s letter raises alarm bells for those who value the integrity of our precious union and for those who want a proper Brexit for the whole of the United Kingdom,’’ DUP leader Arlene Foster said.
‘‘From her letter, it appears the Prime Minister is wedded to the idea of a border down the Irish Sea with Northern Ireland in the EU single market regulatory regime.’’
The DUP has caused friction before: nearly a year ago, its refusal to sign off on a deal on the border caused the temporary collapse of Brexit talks. — Reuters