MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Irish border remains stumbling block in Brexit negotiations

UK plans for avoiding a hard border with Ireland were subjected to “a systematic and forensic annihilation”, during a meeting between UK and EU officials. (Pic BBC)

Fresh doubts have been raised over Theresa May’s hopes for a deal on future relations with Europe, after reports that her proposals for the Irish border have been comprehensively rejected in Brussels. One report of a meeting this week between Britain’s lead negotiator Olly Robbins and senior EU officials suggested that the Prime Minister’s plans for avoiding a hard border with the Republic were subjected to “a systematic and forensic annihilation”.

 The Daily Telegraph quoted unnamed EU diplomatic sources as saying that the Brussels officials delivered “a detailed and forensic rebuttal”, making clear that “none of the UK customs options will work – none of them”.

The report came as Britain’s former ambassador to the EU, Sir Ivan Rogers said that UK hopes of finding a technological solution to the border issue were regarded as “a fantasy island unicorn model” in European capitals.

A UK Government spokesman insisted that Britain was “continuing an intensive work program to engage” on all the scenarios set out in the Joint Report agreed in December by Mrs May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

The agreement included three options for the Irish border, with the British backing a close economic relationship which would make customs checks unnecessary or technological solutions to render them near-frictionless.

But a version published by the EU in February contained only the third “backstop” option, effectively drawing a customs border down the Irish Sea, which a furious Mrs. May said “no British Prime Minister could ever agree”.

The report puts pressure on Mrs. May ahead over a vote in the Commons next week on keeping the UK in the European Customs Union, just days after she was defeated on the issue in the Lords.

If the UK position is rejected by Brussels, the Government could be faced with a choice between remaining in the Customs Union or accepting a hard border in Ireland.

On Wednesday, European Council president Donald Tusk warned that there will be “no withdrawal agreement and no transition” without a solution on Ireland.

According to the Telegraph, Mr. Robbins was also warned that Brussels needs “full compliance” with EU rules on goods and agricultural products in the whole of the UK – not just Northern Ireland – if customs barriers are to be avoided.

A Government spokesman said: “We have been clear that we will protect Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market.

“That commitment was set out in December’s Joint Report which also includes our guarantee of avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

“As the PM’s letter to Donald Tusk said, we have made our position on aspects of the draft Commission Protocol clear. We have agreed that the areas covered in the draft must reflect those that meet our shared commitments.

“And we are continuing an intensive work program to engage on all the scenarios set out in the Joint Report.”

Responding to the Telegraph report, former Treasury permanent secretary Lord Macpherson tweeted: “EU’s position on Irish border so predictable. UK sold pass by conceding ‘backstop’ in December, inviting EU to hold us to it. #badbusiness”.