Boris Johnson yesterday said that he is seeking help to “get the boat off the rocks”

The DUP and senior Tory Eurosceptics have rejected a new concession from the EU which provides a mechanism for the Northern Ireland assembly to leave the Irish backstop.

Diplomatic sources close to the talks said European governments are prepared to concede a unilateral revocation of the withdrawal treaty by Stormont after a period of time. The date of 2025 has been mooted, as long as both communities agree to it.

Under the new proposals Northern Ireland would stay in the customs union and single market until a “double majority” at Stormont — of unionists and nationalists — votes to leave.

However Sammy Wilson, the DUP’s Brexit spokesman, said: “It will go nowhere. The government in Westminster will not accept it, we will not accept it.