Northern Ireland

DUP's Nigel Dodds says extended post-Brexit transition period would cost UK billions of pounds

The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds has criticised the EU's proposal for an extended post-Brexit transition period. Picture by Jonathan Brady, Press Association
The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds has criticised the EU's proposal for an extended post-Brexit transition period. Picture by Jonathan Brady, Press Association The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds has criticised the EU's proposal for an extended post-Brexit transition period. Picture by Jonathan Brady, Press Association

THE European Union's offer to extend the proposed post-Brexit transition period will cost the UK "billions of pounds", DUP MP Nigel Dodds has claimed.

Mr Dodds, the DUP's deputy leader, said the proposal does not address its "unacceptable" plans for a 'backstop'.

A backstop would prevent customs posts on the Irish border in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU without a formal withdrawal agreement.

Mr Dodds said the extended transition period would mean the UK "continues to 'pay but have no say' in Brussels".

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"Such an extension would cost United Kingdom billions of pounds, yet our fundamental problem with the EU proposal remains," he said.

"The DUP wants a Brexit deal that works for our nearest neighbours in the European Union but which respects the constitutional and economic integrity of the precious Union.

 Cartoonist Ian Knox's take on Theresa May being welcomed in Brussels but returning to face mutiny at home
 Cartoonist Ian Knox's take on Theresa May being welcomed in Brussels but returning to face mutiny at home  Cartoonist Ian Knox's take on Theresa May being welcomed in Brussels but returning to face mutiny at home

"The backstop as proposed by the EU would undermine the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom."

He said the EU's backstop proposals are not just unacceptable to unionists but "to many others from right across the United Kingdom".

DUP's Nigel Dodds says extended post-Brexit transition period would cost UK billions of pounds
DUP's Nigel Dodds says extended post-Brexit transition period would cost UK billions of pounds