EU negotiators fear their solution to the Irish border problem could turn Northern Ireland into a loophole in the single market

European Union negotiators have admitted that their controversial “backstop” plan to prevent a hard border in Ireland after Brexit will not work and could undermine the single market.

In a confidential diplomatic note seen by The Times, the European Commission and other EU negotiators expressed fears that because the plan covers only customs checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain, the province could still become a lucrative loophole in the single market.

This could allow Northern Ireland to become a hub for businesses wanting to bypass EU rules, with no border checks to stop them exporting goods and services to the Continent.

“A solution for the Irish border does not solve problems related to necessary alignment with the whole EU