Ireland will not block customs union proposal

Britain rebuffs EU offer requiring commitment to avoiding hard border as crucial Commons vote looms

The Government will not block a new EU proposal which would allow Britain to leave the customs union when it wants, but only if it honours its commitment to avoid a hard border. The EU, with the approval of Dublin, is ready to give the UK the unilateral right to leave the customs union, in a bid to avoid a disorderly Brexit.

Chief negotiator Michel Barnier insisted that in return for the offer, Britain would still need to honour its commitment to preserving a border free of controls between the Republic and Northern Ireland.