Brexit: Theresa May tells EU ‘don’t demand the unacceptable’

UK Prime Minister Theresa May

UK Prime Minister Theresa May

Theresa May is to warn the EU not to demand the “unacceptable” in negotiations over Northern Ireland’s borders.

The prime minister will set out her case to other European leaders at a summit in Salzburg later.

It comes after EU negotiator Michel Barnier suggested a shift in tone on his controversial “backstop” plan to avoid a hard border.

“We are ready to improve this proposal,” he said.

Another key EU figure, European Council President Donald Tusk, said the UK’s plans for the Irish border “will need to be reworked”.

The UK and EU both want to avoid a hard border – meaning any physical infrastructure like cameras or guard posts – but can’t agree on how.

Mrs May has previously rejected the EU’s “backstop” plan – which involves keeping Northern Ireland aligned with its trading rules – saying it would divide up the UK.

Ahead of the Salzburg summit, Mr Barnier said most checks could take place away from border areas.

But this was rejected by Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party which said it “still means a border down the Irish Sea although with different kinds of checks”.

BBC

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