12/06/2018

MPs To Debate On Legislation To Leave The EU

MPs are to take part in a two-day debate on legislation to leave the EU.

They are expected to debate 14 amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill made by the House of Lords.

Prime Minister Theresa May said she is "trying to negotiate the best deal for Britain".

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said he was "frustrated" after the EU confirmed that the UK Government's backstop plan would create a hard border in Ireland.

He said: "I am incredibly angry and incredibly frustrated that we have reached this point. A point where the British still have failed to put the seriousness of the border issue to the top of the agenda. We should not be an after thought.

"With news that we may have to wait until October to get reassurances from the UK Government that there will be no hard border - others across these islands need to wake up. We cannot allow the British Government to sleep walk into disaster.

"A difficult and dangerous disaster for those of us living in this part of Ireland.

"This week there is a genuine opportunity for MPs to do the right thing. To vote in Westminster to stop a hard Brexit and stop a hard border in Ireland. That means backing alignment with the Customs Union and the Single Market. It also means fully supporting the Good Friday Agreement."

(CD/LM)

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