North’s businesses warn of huge Brexit threat

The economic transformation of Irish border communities brought by the peace process has been put at risk by Brexit, MPs have been told.

The head of a business support organisation working in counties Armagh and Down issued the stark warning as he gave evidence to Westminster’s Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry into the future of the Irish border when the UK leaves the EU.

Conor Patterson, chief executive of the Newry and Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency, was appearing alongside other leading business representatives from the area.