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Arlene Foster to tell DUP conference Brexit deal is not in NI's long-term interests

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond (centre) at Crown Plaza Hotel in Belfast with the DUP leader Arlene Foster (left) and party deputy leader Nigel Dodds (right). Picture by Liam McBurney/PAWire
Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond (centre) at Crown Plaza Hotel in Belfast with the DUP leader Arlene Foster (left) and party deputy leader Nigel Dodds (right). Picture by Liam McBurney/PAWire Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond (centre) at Crown Plaza Hotel in Belfast with the DUP leader Arlene Foster (left) and party deputy leader Nigel Dodds (right). Picture by Liam McBurney/PAWire

THE DRAFT EU withdrawal agreement contains arrangements that are not in Northern Ireland's long-term interests, Arlene Foster will tell her party conference today.

The region would inevitably begin to diverge from its largest market, Britain, if it remained part of the EU's customs code under the backstop arrangement, the DUP leader will tell supporters in Belfast.

"We cannot wish away the fact that the draft withdrawal agreement contains arrangements that are not in Northern Ireland's long-term economic or strategic interests," she will say.

"Northern Ireland would remain part of the European Union's customs code and as things stand we would be sowing the seeds of inevitable economic divergence from our largest market."

Tory Brexiteer Boris Johnson is also scheduled expected to address today's DUP conference.

Mrs Foster said she acknowledges the frustration of many in the north's business community with the "pace of negotiations", adding that she understood their position.

"They have been clear that they would prefer what is currently on the table rather than a no-deal outcome but for us we cannot wish away the fact that the draft withdrawal agreement contains arrangements that are not in Northern Ireland’s long-term economic or strategic interests," she said.

The DUP leader also said that her party may revisit its deal to support the Conservatives in key votes at Westminster.

"The prime minister has not been able to guarantee an outcome that eliminates the risk of the introduction of the so-called backstop arrangements," she is expected to say, urging the UK negotiators to seek a better outcome.

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds will tell the conference that without his party's support, Theresa May's government would have been defeated in almost half of all votes on the EU Withdrawal Act.

He said there would "consequences" it the British government failed to deliver on its commitments to Brexit.

"But it is in the interests of the country and of Northern Ireland that our parties continue to work together in the national interest," he said.

"Our agreement is of course with the Conservative Party – it is incumbent therefore on all Conservatives in parliament who recognise the importance of continuing stability and who wish to see the government deliver its agenda to ensure it is honoured in full."

Chancellor Philip Hammond, who was a guest speaker at the DUP's private conference dinner last night, said the British government is considering providing extra border backstop assurances to the DUP.

He said ministers have a number of choices through the parliamentary process, which include extending the Brexit implementation period ahead of the permanent relationship. That scenario could avoid having to use a backstop, in which the UK would continue to follow EU regulations relating to trade across the Irish border – a solution which is adamantly opposed by the DUP.