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Failure to agree Brexit deal would cause 'economic disaster', report warns

A "chaotic Brexit" could result in "serious political and economic implications" for the north, a report finds. Picture by Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Associated Press
A "chaotic Brexit" could result in "serious political and economic implications" for the north, a report finds. Picture by Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Associated Press A "chaotic Brexit" could result in "serious political and economic implications" for the north, a report finds. Picture by Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Associated Press

A "chaotic Brexit" without a trade deal or agreement on the terms of withdrawal would have "serious political and economic implications" for Northern Ireland, according to a new report.

Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly said that "no deal is better than a bad deal".

But a report by academic think tank UK in a Changing Europe claimed that no deal could result in "widespread, damaging and pervasive" consequences for the north and Britain.

Ramifications could include British airlines being unable to fly, nuclear power stations ceasing operation and "legal limbo" for millions of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens living in the European Union.

It comes after a report by a House of Lords committee warned that the Brexit debate has undermined political stability in Northern Ireland, leading to calls from the SDLP last night for engagement with parties in the absence of a Stormont executive.