UNIONISTS of all shades have rejected a deal they fear would create a border at the Irish Sea.
DUP leader Arlene Foster insisted yesterday that Northern Ireland "must leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the United Kingdom".
"We will not accept any form of regulatory divergence which separates Northern Ireland economically or politically from the rest of the United Kingdom."
She added: "The Republic of Ireland claim to be guarantors of the Belfast Agreement but they are clearly seeking to unilaterally change the Belfast Agreement without our input or consent."
Party colleague Sammy Wilson used stronger language, saying the proposed text would be a "threat" to the union and describing Mrs May's approach to the talks as "mad negotiating", while also labelling the Irish government a "bunch of political chancers".
He said: "The Irish government have played all along a very cynical game and stirred up unnecessary fears as well."
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said the deal reportedly on offer would "fundamentally alter the relationship between Britain and Northern Ireland".
"It would also mean that if the UK government is negotiating future trade deals across the world, we would be seen as a place apart. Northern Ireland`s constitutional position should not be used as a bargaining chip."
Lord Trimble, the former UUP leader and first minister, also said it would have "put Northern Ireland businesses at a very significant disadvantage... because they would be locked into European regulatory provisions" which would not apply to the rest of the UK.
After a BBC presenter commented that he sounded "pretty shocked", Lord Trimble replied: "I am... because this is very bad news."
TUV leader Jim Allister described the proposed deal as "destructive of the integrity of the United Kingdom" which could "never be acceptable".
