Brexit: Labour's 'door is open' to DUP for talks By Jayne McCormack & Stephen Walker

BBC News NI Political Reporter Published duration 20 October 2019 Related Topics Brexit

image copyright Reuters image caption Sir Keir Starmer says Labour's "door is open" to the DUP for talks over Brexit

Labour has invited the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for talks about amending crucial Brexit legislation.

MPs - including the DUP - voted on Saturday to withhold approval of a new Brexit deal until the necessary laws to implement it are passed.

Labour's Sir Keir Starmer said his party's "door is open" to the DUP.

The DUP said it plans to hold further talks with the government this week to see how unionists can be reassured about the consent mechanism.

Customs amendment

Speaking on s Pienaar's Politics on BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday night, the party's chief whip, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the DUP wanted to engage with the government to see "where things stand".

Sir Jeffrey did not rule out backing an amendment to the Brexit deal that would see the whole UK remain in a customs union with the EU.

"Certainly that is one option we could look at," he said.

"We do recognise that ultimately the UK will have to negotiate a customs arrangement with the EU anyway.

"I don't want to rule anything in or out at this stage until we've talked to the government and we see where we stand with them in relation to customs, but also other issues as well. The consent principle is very important to us."

image copyright PA Media image caption The DUP plans to hold further talks with the government to see how "unionists in NI can be reassured" about the consent mechanism

'Open invite to DUP'

The government has vowed to move the legislation needed - the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - to implement the Brexit deal next week.

Labour intends to table an amendment for a new referendum and the party has said its "door is open" to the DUP.

It is at this stage that an amendment on a customs union could also be put forward.

The DUP has insisted it is not in favour of another public vote.

image copyright Reuters image caption Boris Johnson had to ask the EU for another Brexit delay after Saturday's vote in the Commons

Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit secretary, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that any Brexit deal needed to be put to a referendum.

And he said his party would likely table other amendments to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill as well.

The bill ensures all EU laws that need to be transferred into domestic UK legislation are implemented.

Asked if he was talking to the DUP, Sir Keir said: "I would openly invite the DUP to talk to us.

"I say to the DUP in particular: if you want to work with us on this to improve the situation our door is open to that discussion."

Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

image copyright AFP

The DUP inflicted a blow on the prime minister on Saturday, with the votes of its 10 MPs for the so-called Letwin amendment ensuring a government defeat.

The party's relationship with Prime Minister Boris Johnson has become strained since he negotiated a new Brexit deal with the EU that includes special customs arrangements for Northern Ireland.

The DUP has rejected the plan and said the prime minister was "too eager" to get a deal at any cost in order to leave the EU by 31 October.

image copyright Reuters image caption EU leaders must decide whether they will grant a Brexit extension

The taoiseach (Irish prime minister) said the EU would not make more concessions to help the government win the DUP's support for the Brexit deal.

"The deal is done," Leo Varadkar told Irish national broadcaster RTÉ on Sunday.

He said the UK would have to outline the reasons for requesting an extension to the 31 October Brexit deadline - whether the extra time would be used to hold a general election or another referendum.

'Fixation' with leaving

After Saturday's vote, Mr Johnson sent a letter to the EU requesting a delay - under the terms of the so-called Benn Act - but ministers insist the UK will still leave the EU by the Halloween deadline.

Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, DUP MP Emma Little-Pengelly said Mr Johnson's "fixation" with leaving the EU by the 31 October meant he had "rushed the details" of his Brexit deal.

In response, Northern Ireland Office Minister Robin Walker said the government would continue to talk to the DUP and the independent unionist MP Lady Hermon about their concerns over the Brexit deal.