She has promised to secure further assurances from the EU on the most controversial elements of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland, and has held talks with European leaders in recent days. The backstop would keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Brexit by temporarily aligning Britain with EU trade rules. Any extension to Britain's departure would be complicated by the elections to the European Parliament in May. Downing Street earlier had commented on the amendment to the finance law, intended to prevent a "no deal" Brexit, saying that while "not desirable," it was an "inconvenience rather than anything more significant". The impact of a disorderly Brexit would also be felt across Europe, including in the EU budget.

Source: Standard Digital January 08, 2019 22:07 UTC