Arlene Foster says the DUP will not accept any deal which will see the United Kingdom separated from Northern Ireland.
Moments before Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was expected to give a press conference outlining a broad deal with the UK that would prevent the return of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Foster put out a statement that roughly translated as, ‘over my dead body’.
It came after the leaking of a reported draft agreement which outlined an agreement to keep Northern Ireland’s regulations in line with those of European Union after Brexit.
Foster, however, was having none of it.
“We note the speculation emanating from the European Union exit talks regarding the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom border,” she said.
“We have been very clear. Northern Ireland must leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the United Kingdom. We will not accept any form of regulatory divergence which separates Northern Ireland economically or politically from the rest of the United Kingdom. The economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom will not be compromised in any way.
Taoiseach was due to give a Brexit statement at 2.30. Crew have just taken down his podium and packed it away…. pic.twitter.com/F2rY1HARqI
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) December 4, 2017
“Her Majesty’s Government understands the DUP position. The Prime Minister has told the House of Commons that there will be no border in the Irish Sea. The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK is leaving the European Union as a whole and the territorial and economic integrity of the United Kingdom will be protected.
“We want to see a sensible Brexit where the Common Travel Area is continued, we meet our financial obligations, have a strictly time limited implementation period and where the contribution of EU migrants to our economy is recognised in a practical manner.
“The Republic of Ireland claim to be guarantors of the Belfast Agreement but they are clearly seeking to unilaterally change the Belfast Agreement without our input or consent.”
We will not accept any form of regulatory divergence which separates Northern Ireland economically or politically from the rest of the United Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/uCBVdfVQTJ
— Arlene Foster DBE PC #ProudofNI. (@ArleneFosterUK) December 4, 2017
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