Keir Starmer, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, responding to reports of the Government’s alternative to the backstop, said:

“If Boris Johnson had spent any time listening to businesses and communities in Northern Ireland, he would know that these proposals are utterly unworkable.

“They would place an enormous administrative burden on businesses and rely on technology that does not yet exist.

“Crucially, if true, they represent a rowing back on the commitments made to the people of Northern Ireland two years ago that there would be no return to a hard border or related checks or controls.

“If accurate, these proposals represent yet another failure of the government’s negotiating strategy. The Prime Minister should admit he has no credible plan for Brexit and that the only way to resolve this issue is to go back to the people with a public vote.”

Ends

Notes to Editors