PM Calls On EU To 'Evolve' Its Position On Brexit

The European Union must "evolve" its position on Brexit in relation to the Irish Border, Prime Minister Theresa May has said.

She was speaking in Belfast on Friday, 20 July, during a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

The UK and EU have agreed that there should be no hard border in Ireland, however they are at loggerheads on how this can be achieved.

Mrs May said: "The economic and constitutional dislocation of a formal 'third country' customs border within our own country is something I will never accept and believe no British prime minister could ever accept."

The PM also met with several of the political parties.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary McDonald TD accused Mrs May of visiting Northern Ireland to pick a fight with Ireland and the European Union.

She said: "Her approach today has been provocative, to set aside her agreement with the EU from December and to walk away from a backstop.  

"Theresa May claims to want to avoid a hard border in Ireland, while pursuing a policy that will deliver a hard border. 

"She told us that the north must be treated the same as Britain in Brexit, while continuing to deny the right to marriage equality, to coroner’s inquests and language rights - rights that are available elsewhere in Ireland and in Britain. 

"The British Prime Minister has demonstrated a willful misreading of the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke of respecting consent while imposing Brexit in the north against the will of the majority. 

"She told us that an agreement cannot be imposed, while refusing to implement agreements that have been made. 

"Right across society; business, farming and community interests north and south are dismayed at Theresa May’s hard Brexiteer rhetoric, designed for a Brexiteers at home in Britain and within the DUP. 

"Theresa May is not acting in the interest of the people here or our economy - she is acting in self interest."

(CD)