Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has called on the UK Government to maintain its opposition to any Brexit deal that would jeopardise Northern Ireland's position in the United Kingdom and the principle of consent.
Jim Nicholson MEP said:
“As we reminded Mr Barnier last week, Unionists who voted remain in the referendum did not vote to be separated from the rest of the United Kingdom in the event of a Brexit vote.
“Any proposal that would effectively create a new international border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom should not only be unacceptable to any UK Government, it would be a breach of the Belfast Agreement which the EU has pledged to defend in these negotiations.
“Northern Ireland is not up for sale. It is vital that the Government - and the DUP which is propping it up - maintains its firm commitments that it will not accept a final Brexit deal that diminishes in any way the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.
“Any ‘backstop’ separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK was unacceptable in December, it is unacceptable now and it will be unacceptable in the future.”