Irish customs plan dubbed smugglers’ charter

PLANS to keep the Northern Irish border open in a No Deal were unveiled yesterday – with critics warning it could become a back door to Britain for smugglers.

Under the proposed tariff regime, Irish goods entering Northern Ireland would not face import duties.

They would be charged only if they then ended up in the rest of the UK – although there will be no checks on cargo crossing the Irish Sea. Customs officers would have to rely on intelligence reports and the honesty of businesses to impose the levies on goods destined for other parts of the UK.

The decision is designed to avoid the need for checkpoints on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic amid fears that their reintroduction could revive sectarian tensions. Critics of the plan said this would increase the risk of Irish smugglers using Northern Ireland as a back door to get goods into Britain tariff-free.

It also emerged that after a No Deal Brexit, products moving from Northern Ireland across into the Republic would be likely to face levies.

Ministers yesterday accepted that the new regime would cause ‘con-

cerns’ to Northern Irish businesses and farmers. And last night the European Commission said the UK would break World Trade Organisation rules if it imposes zero tariffs on Ireland while charging them to other EU members.

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said: ‘The Government has been clear that a deal with the European Union is the best outcome. But we will do all we can to support people and businesses across Northern Ireland in the event that we leave without a deal.

‘The measures announced today recognise the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. These arrangements can only be temporary and short term.’

Ministers said they would not introduce any new checks or controls on cross-border goods.