Stephen Barclay accuses EU of trying to ‘rerun old arguments’

Stephen Barclay, the Brexit Secretary has accused the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Bernard Barnier, of trying “to rerun old arguments”. Michel Barnier said that Britain would be free to leave the proposed single customs territory which is designed to avoid physical border on the Irish border.

This is rejected by the Government and the DUP, since the Northern Ireland would have to remain within it. The UK had “put forward clear new proposals” said Barclay.

The Parliament has yet to agree the terms of withdrawal, but The UK is due to leave on 29 March. The UK and EU have been arguing over the contentious issue of the Irish backstop. This is to prevent the checking on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In some Tweets, Mr Barnier said the UK would not be forced into a customs union against its will through the Northern Ireland backstop. “With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides.”, Tweeted Barclay.

Image courtesy : klfm967.co.uk, alchetron.com / images are subject to copyright