LABOUR'S Brexit spokesman has insisted that a withdrawal deal must include a backstop that avoids a hard border.
Sir Keir Starmer said that with the clock ticking down to Britain's departure from the EU, it was "impossible to see a way forward without a backstop".
During a visit to Belfast, Sir Keir said while Labour had difficulties with the form of the backstop in the current deal, he and colleagues acknowledged there was a need for such an insurance policy in principle, to ensure a free-flowing border post-Brexit.
"From the Labour Party point of view, we obviously see that there are difficulties with the backstop," he said.
"There are features there that are going to cause concern. But we recognise there is a need for a backstop at this stage of the exercise."
His comments came as Labour has faced calls to clarify its position.
Last week, Labour MPs were whipped to vote against a Westminster amendment calling for "alternative arrangements" to replace the backstop.
However, party leader Jeremy Corbyn also said he had a "problem" with the backstop proposal, insisting it was unacceptable that the UK could not unilaterally decide to withdraw from it.
Sir Keir met business and trade union leaders in Belfast yesterday, as well as leadership figures from Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill said he had brought "clarity" to Labour's position.
She suggested that during their meeting he had acknowledged that Labour had previously not been clear and consistent on the need for a backstop.
"He did say in the meeting that the backstop is inevitable and that is the Labour position – it's their position because they understand the need to ensure there's no hard border on this island."
The DUP claimed Sir Keir's comments on the backstop were evidence of an "internal struggle" on the issue within the Labour Party.
DUP MP Gavin Robinson said the shadow Brexit secretary's insistence that the backstop was inevitable was "code for keeping the UK fully inside the single market and customs union".
"Others in the Labour Party, including Jeremy Corbyn, seem to recognise that such an outcome would not reflect the referendum result," he said.
"When he talks about parliament asserting itself, he conveniently ignores last week's vote where parliament has set a course for what it wants to see from the government in negotiations with the EU."
Mr Robinson said the focus needed to be on Brussels and the requirement to start "meaningful negotiation".
However, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said he was encouraged by what Sir Keir and his Labour colleagues had said.
"Labour have a strong history in recognising the delicate position we find ourselves in here, as well as stepping up to assist us in the progress of maintaining peace," he said.
"We hope this is a position they will take in any forthcoming Brexit votes."
