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Jacob Rees-Mogg warned the Irish economy could suffer if the European Union decided to impose a border between the two Irish nations.

The staunch pro-Brexit politician suggested the British Government will not seek to create a physical border between Dublin and Belfast but will reject attempts from Brussels to control Northern Ireland.

He said: "When we leave the European Union we won’t have to impose any border in Ireland if we don’t want to. That will be a unilateral decision to be taken by the British Government.

"If we do, if that is what the European Union wants and we go along with it, the losers will be the Republic of Ireland. The economy of the Republic of Ireland would be in very bad shape if we impose the common external tariff on them. Irish agriculture, with tariffs on beef of up to 70 percent would be ruined if we imposed that.

"The Irish have a huge interest in keeping the border open."