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Potential Brexit deal collapses amid hard border row

Arlene Foster is planning for a no deal Brexit according to reports. Picture by Francisco Seco, Associated Press
Arlene Foster is planning for a no deal Brexit according to reports. Picture by Francisco Seco, Associated Press Arlene Foster is planning for a no deal Brexit according to reports. Picture by Francisco Seco, Associated Press

A POSSIBLE Brexit deal collapsed last night amid continued disputes between Britain and the European Union over how to avoid a hard border.

Following talks with Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said "despite intense efforts, some key issues are still open", including plans for a 'backstop' which would prevent customs posts at the border in the event of a no deal Brexit.

A British government spokesman said last night although negotiators had made "real progress" there remain "unresolved issues relating to the backstop".

The talks came ahead of a private meeting between DUP leader Arlene Foster and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin today.

Mrs Foster's trip has been seen as an indication she believes the DUP can get some concessions from the Irish government ahead of a crunch EU summit on Wednesday.

The Sinn Féin leadership, including Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill, are also to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in London today.

The party has claimed the DUP's Brexit strategy is unfolding "like a slow-motion train crash".

Writing in today's Irish News, deputy leader Ms O'Neill accused the unionist party of pursuing a "reckless agenda".

She said the north's citizens will have to pay the price of Brexit, which she described as a "gross act of political and economic vandalism".

Leaked emails seen by the Observer newspaper show the DUP leader is preparing for a 'no deal' Brexit.

According to a private email exchange between senior UK officials, Mrs Foster had expressed deep disappointment about last week's meeting with Mr Barnier who she described as being "difficult and hostile".

A leaked email from an adviser involved in the Brexit talks said: "AF [Arlene Foster] said the DUP were ready for a no-deal scenario, which she now believed was the likeliest one".

In a day of fast-moving developments yesterday:

:: 27 EU ambassadors were called to Brussels for a special meeting

:: Former Brexit secretary David Davis urged a Cabinet revolt against Mrs May's Brexit strategy

:: Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson hinted she may resign if the Brexit deal gives the north special trading terms within the EU

:: Dozens of 'no confidence' letters against Mrs May have been submitted to a Tory backbench committee