Northern Ireland

Theresa May to meet north's business bodies in Downing Street

Theresa May will tomorrow meet representatives of the north's business sector. Picture by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Theresa May will tomorrow meet representatives of the north's business sector. Picture by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Theresa May will tomorrow meet representatives of the north's business sector. Picture by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

THRESA May will welcome up to a dozen of Northern Ireland's business leaders into Downing Street tomorrow as she continues the sell the merits of the draft Brexit withdrawal deal.

The British prime minister is expected to get a sympathetic hearing from the sectoral lobby groups, which include the regional arm of the CBI, Retail NI, the Ulster Farmers Union and Manufacturing NI. Individual businesses are also expected to attend.

In recent days, the business groups have clashed with the DUP over their support for the EU-UK withdrawal deal.

DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson yesterday labelled the groups backing the draft deal "puppets of the Northern Ireland Office".

Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI said the business bodies were looking forward hearing what the prime minister had to say about the withdrawal agreement and to questioning her on what it means for the north's economy.

He said the business community was "united" in its approach.

"A no deal Brexit will destroy jobs, businesses and dash investment hopes," he told The Irish News.

"The UK and the EU need to agree a comprehensive trade, veterinary and customs relationship for the long term but to get there, a withdrawal agreement is required now – that is the process."

Mr Kelly said "crashing out in 135 days from now" was a risk businesses could not afford to take.