Photo: AFPBrussels: The EU said on Wednesday that British-ruled Northern Ireland could stay part of a customs union with the bloc after Brexit if a better solution is not found. The “backstop” proposal in a draft Brexit withdrawal agreement unveiled by EU negotiator Michel Barnier is set to stoke fresh tensions between London and Brussels. Britain says it wants a technological solution without staying in the customs union. The treaty attempts to set out details of the Brexit withdrawal deal that May and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker sealed in principle after marathon talks in December. Pressure on May mounted this week when opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announced a policy shift in favour of staying in a customs union with the EU.

Source: Mint February 28, 2018 16:07 UTC