Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenWhat Boris Johnson told private Tory dinner 2.47pm BST Downing Street has issued a response to what Michael Barnier in his news conference. It confirms that the UK government will not accept an Ireland-only backstop, which is what the EU is proposing. (See 1.38pm.) A government spokespersons said:The prime minster has been clear that we will never accept a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. We are also committed to maintaining the integrity of our own internal market. That position will not change. The commission’s proposals did not achieve this, which is why we have put forward our own backstop solutions for customs.All parties must recall their commitment in the joint report to protect the Belfast agreement in all its parts. 2.39pm BST Here is the text of Michel Banier’s opening remarks at the press conference. It is the text as delivered, which means most of it is in French. An English version will be available later. Continue reading…
Via: Barnier expresses serious doubts about May's Brexit backstop plan but denies rejecting it fully – Politics live
Categories: English News