The Government has denied trying to provoke Britain with a special status deal for the North amid accusations the EU is trying to use the border to stop Brexit.

The European Union is reportedly threatening to hold back Britain's final €5.6bn rebate payment from Brussels as part of negotiations over the so-called Brexit "divorce" bill.

Brexit negotiations have not begun promisingly and Cabinet divisions mean it is hard for the Government to have a clear position, a former head of the diplomatic service has said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May insists there will be no return to the “borders of the past” between the Republic and Northern Ireland.