Owen Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, responding to the leaked letter from Boris Johnson to the Prime Minister revealed by Sky News, said:

“Boris Johnson’s comments to the Prime Minister about Northern Ireland are reckless and irresponsible.

“Solemn commitments were made at the end of the last year that there would be no hard border on the island of Ireland. No ifs, no buts.

“For Boris to have been caught out trying to row back on these commitments demonstrates the dangerous attitude he takes to maintaining peace in Northern Ireland.

“The Prime Minister should condemn these remarks immediately and seriously consider the position of her Foreign Secretary.”