Latest: No Brexit withdrawal treaty without 'backstop', says Tánaiste

Latest: Tánaiste Simon Coveney has today warned the UK there will be no Brexit withdrawal treaty if there is any U-Turn on the "backstop" solution to avoid a hard border on the island.

Update 3.44pm: Tánaiste Simon Coveney has today warned the UK there will be no Brexit withdrawal treaty if there is any U-Turn on the "backstop" solution to avoid a hard border on the island.

The Foreign Affairs Minister insisted that the UK government has provided a "cast-iron guarantee" that will ensure no physical infrastructure, checks, or controls at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, post-Brexit.