DUP To Vote Against Amended Brexit Deal

The DUP is set to vote against Prime Minister Theresa May's amended Brexit deal this evening, claiming a lack of "significant progress" to support the agreement.

Mrs May travelled to Strasbourg on Monday evening to secure a series of last minute "legally binding changes" to the deal, as she attempts to rally support for a second meaningful vote in the House of Commons.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox published his legal opinion on the text earlier today, saying the risk that the UK would have no lawful means of the leaving the backstop without EU agreement "remains unchanged".

The DUP has since released a statement, confirming that the party will not back the deal: "The Prime Minister set out a clear objective for legally binding change which would command a majority in the House of Commons in line with the Brady amendment. We recognise that the Prime Minister has made limited progress in her discussions with the European Union. However in our view sufficient progress has not been achieved at this time.

"Having carefully considered the published material as well as measuring what has been achieved against our own fundamental tests, namely the impact of the backstop on the constitutional and economic integrity of the Union of the United Kingdom, it is clear that the risks remain that the UK would be unable to lawfully exit the backstop were it to be activated."

The Democratic Unionists added that they will support the "right deal", but said the European Union has been "intransigent" throughout negotiations.

"It is possible to reach a sensible deal which works for the United Kingdom and the European Union but it will require all sides to be reasonable and in deal making mode."

Meanwhile, the SDLP has welcomed the progress made on the deal which is in "the best interests of all our people".

Party leader Colum Eastwood commended the continued protection for the backstop and avoidance of a hard border in Ireland, adding that he is "hopeful" the deal will pass.



(JG/MH)