DUP 'won't accept any Brexit deal that separates NI from rest of UK'
The Democratic Unionist Party has said it will not accept any Brexit deal that "separates'' Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said the party, which which props up Theresa May's Tory minority Government, would not allow "any form of regulatory divergence'' from the UK.
She spoke out after Ireland's deputy premier Simon Coveney said the Dublin government's concerns over the post-Brexit border with Northern Ireland were set to be addressed fully, amid reports the UK would allow regulatory alignment'' between north and south.
Mrs May did not comment on the reports as she arrived for a key working lunch with Jean-Claude Juncker, which will be followed by talks with European Council president Donald Tusk.
How to maintain a soft Irish border has emerged as the key sticking point to getting agreement from the EU to move on to phase two in Brexit negotiations, but Mr Tusk said on Monday that progress was "getting closer''.
Regulatory alignment could mean both Ireland and Northern Ireland following the same rules governing trade, to ensure that goods can continue to move freely across a "soft'' border with no checks.
But Ms Foster made clear the DUP would oppose the deal if it meant the effective drawing of a new border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK if the Westminster Government decides it wants to diverge from EU rules.
Speaking at Stormont, she said: "We note the speculation emanating from the European Union exit talks regarding the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom border.
"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.
"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."