Theresa May given three tests for EU deal, by Brexit supporters

Some Brexit-supporting lawmakers have given UK PM Theresa May three tests for the EU deal, reuters reports says. These supporting lawmakers had rejected May’s European Union exit deal in January.

Theresa May is seeking assurances on the backstop arrangement which are intended to prevent a return to hard border controls between EU member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland.

Concerns over the backstop leads to reject May’s deal in January, with critics saying it could leave the country tied to EU rules indefinitely.

It was reported by Times that a group had drawn up the tests by which they would assess any changes. The group included former Brexit minister Dominic Raab and Nigel Dodds, the deputy leader of the Northern Irish party which props up May’s minority government.

Michael Tomlinson, one of the group, Conservative lawmaker said “The mechanism has got to be legally binding, so effectively treaty-level change”.

“The second part is the language. It can’t be a reinterpretation of the withdrawal agreement or a re-emphasis; it’s got to be really clear language as to where we are going … The third requirement is a clear exit route.”

Trade minister Liam Fox, for BBC said “They have made it very clear that if the effect of any change is to get the guarantees on the Irish backstop that they sought, then that would be sufficient rather than demanding that it has to be done by one mechanism or another”.

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