Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has warned that the latest attempts by the European Commission to ‘de-dramatise’ its proposals for a backstop agreement on the border between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are unconvincing.

Speaking ahead of the informal meeting of EU heads of Government in Salzburg, Mr Nicholson called on the UK Government to “uphold the commitments it has already made” in protecting the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.

Jim Nicholson MEP said:

“Ever since the Commission put pen to paper in March with its draft withdrawal treaty, with its version of a ‘backstop’ that would see Northern Ireland cut adrift from the rest of the United Kingdom, Michel Barnier has been on a mission of ‘de-dramatisation’.

“It is clear that Brussels did not expect the level of opposition from Unionism and from parties across Parliament that its proposals received.

“Michel Barnier’s latest attempts to ‘de-dramatise’ the situation centre around trying to emphasise that any checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain would not be intrusive, would build on checks that already take place and could be easily managed.

“Not only is that case unconvincing, it also fails to address the primary problem with his interpretation of the backstop, which is Northern Ireland being taken out of the UK`s democratic decision making process, forced to accept rules it has no say in making (while Dublin does), and essentially ruled by committee in perpetuity.

“It is vital that the UK Government stands firm on this issue and upholds the commitments it has already made. The number one priority for any Unionist as we approach crunch time in these negotiations is the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland’s constitutional position is not up for grabs nor is it a bargaining chip for getting a Brexit deal over the line.”