The Prime Minister has been clear already that alternative arrangements are an alternative to the backstop - as by the way, is extending the implementation period.

So it is not necessarily the case that if we did reach that point the backstop would have to come in anyway.

It is an uncomfortable thing for the European Union, as it is an uncomfortable thing for us - there are some things about it, like the fact that we would have free market access but without paying, free movement would be over, we would be out of the common agricultural policy and fisheries policy - that's not comfortable for the EU either."