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Arlene Foster says Michel Barnier 'does not understand unionist culture'

Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Arlene Foster, center left, speaks with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, center right, prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP).
Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Arlene Foster, center left, speaks with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, center right, prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Arlene Foster, center left, speaks with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, center right, prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP).

DUP leader Arlene Foster has accused the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier of not understanding the "wider unionist culture" of Northern Ireland.

Speaking ahead of Mr Barnier visiting both sides of the Irish border, Mrs Foster said: "I don't think he does understand the wider unionist culture of Northern Ireland.

"He's hearing a very strong message from the Republic of Ireland's government, he's hearing it from Sinn Féin.

Media scrum as @campaignforleo & @simoncoveney greet @MichelBarnier as he arrives for the All-Island Civic Dialogue in Dundalk pic.twitter.com/QqGsQZmUDo — Tracey Magee (@Tracey_utv) April 30, 2018

"We have tried to get him to understand the unionist position for the people of Northern Ireland, but he hasn't really responded to that, and I'm disappointed about that.

"I'm also disappointed that he will hear anti-Brexit voices tomorrow, he won't hear any pro-Brexit voices tomorrow because he is being taken around by Sinn Féin MPs."

The chairman of the European Research Group of Tory Eurosceptics, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said Britain should call the EU's bluff over the border.

Mr Rees-Mogg told LBC radio: "I would call their bluff. I would say, 'OK, we're not putting up a border, are you?'

"That would leave the challenge to the Irish government to decide whether it wished to put up a Trump-like wall between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I doubt they want to do that."

He added: "If we leave without a deal and impose the common external tariff against the Republic of Ireland, that's extremely damaging to the Irish economy. The Irish government ought to understand the risk it is taking, and the EU likewise."

Meanwhile, Brexit legislation will return to the House of Lords on Monday with reports suggesting peers will seek to give Parliament a final say on any deal struck with Brussels.

It is reported that a cross-party proposal which would block a "no deal" outcome from the negotiations with the EU will receive backing from the Lords and not be overturned in the Commons.

It had been thought that Britain could simply leave the bloc without an agreement on a future relationship were one not to be struck by March 30 next year, but this amendment would prevent that.

The proposal is aimed at ensuring any agreement forged between the Government and EU would be subject to a parliamentary vote and, if rejected, could force the British government to recommence talks.

Sir Keir Starmer, Labour's shadow Brexit minister, told the Observer: "This is one of the most important amendments of the entire Brexit process - and indeed of the parliament.

"We have always been clear that the vote must be truly meaningful. It cannot simply be a take-it-or-leave-it choice as the Prime Minister has suggested.

"This amendment, which has cross-party support, would provide a safety net in the Brexit process. It would remove the possibility of a No vote leading to a 'no deal'. It would bring back control to Parliament."