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Brexit: Dominic Raab says transition extension should only occur if Irish border backstop proposal is removed

Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has called for the backstop proposal to be removed if the transition period for leaving the EU is extended. Picture by Peter Nicholls/PA Wire
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has called for the backstop proposal to be removed if the transition period for leaving the EU is extended. Picture by Peter Nicholls/PA Wire Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has called for the backstop proposal to be removed if the transition period for leaving the EU is extended. Picture by Peter Nicholls/PA Wire

BREXIT secretary Dominic Raab has said any extension to the transition period for leaving the EU must be an alternative and not an addition to the Irish border backstop proposal.

British prime minister Theresa May has said she is open to the possibility of extending the period by a matter of months.

A 21-month transition is due to end on December 31 2020.

The EU has proposed that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the north should remain in the customs union to avoid a hard border.

However, the British government has opposed this - under pressure from the DUP - stating it would mean treating Northern Ireland differently to the rest of the UK.

Mrs May has suggested that the UK as a whole could temporarily remain in the customs union.

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Mr Raab wrote in The Sunday Telegraph: "The prime minister has rightly refused to rule out considering different approaches - including extending the implementation period for a limited period of a few months, as an alternative to the backstop.

"But we won't sacrifice Northern Ireland, and we must have finality to any backstop - whether through a time-limit or a mechanism that enables the UK to leave, in case the EU doesn't live up to its promise to get the future relationship in place swiftly."

The Brexit secretary hinted that the extension could run for three months but said the move would have to "solve" the backstop issue.

Mr Raab also called on Conservative MPs to "play for the team" amidst divisions over her handling of the Brexit negotiations.

Brexit: Dominic Raab says transition extension should only occur if Irish border backstop proposal is removed
Brexit: Dominic Raab says transition extension should only occur if Irish border backstop proposal is removed

The UK is due to leave the bloc in March next year, while there has been speculation that a meeting of EU leaders in December will be the final deadline for striking a deal.

Mr Raab said: "We are at the end stage of the negotiation.

"It is understandable that there are jitters on all sides of this debate.

"We need to hold our nerve. The end is in sight in terms of a good deal, the prize we want.

"I think colleagues should wait and see what that looks like. It won't be a question of a fait accompli. They will have their full say over it."

Meanwhile, former Brexit minister Steve Baker is attempting to block the backstop with changes to legislation being heard by Parliament.

His proposed amendments to the Northern Ireland Bill would make it a legal requirement for the Stormont Assembly to agree to any plan to treat Northern Ireland differently to the rest of the UK.

The devolved legislature has not sat since power-sharing collapsed in January 2017.

The bill is due to go before the House of Commons on Wednesday.