Arlene Foster issues statement on potential Brexit deal

DUP leader Arlene Foster has responded to today's proposed Brexit agreement.

Progress appeared to have been made earlier on Tuesday when reports emerged that a deal had been struck by Brexit negotiators from the European Union and the United Kingdom. The deal allowed for a backstop beyond the Brexit deadline to avoid a hard border in Ireland, and involved a temporary customs arrangement between the UK and the EU — which further, deeper ramifications for the economy of Northern Ireland, which was to align sufficiently with EU regulations so as to avoid the need for a hard border. However, the DUP, whose 10 seats in Westminster currently prop up Theresa May's Tory government, opposed any deal that would see Northern Ireland's economy operate any differently than the rest of the UK. In a statement published this evening, Foster said: "It would be democratically unacceptable for Northern Ireland trade rules to be set by Brussels. Northern Ireland would have no representation in Brussels and would be dependent on a Dublin government speaking up for our core industries." "Without a clean exit clause, the United Kingdom would be handcuffed to the European Union with Brussels holding the keys. At least the United Kingdom people could vote to leave the European Union." https://twitter.com/DUPleader/status/1062451464180785155