NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has told Tory members that the British government will "never" allow a border down the Irish Sea.
Ms Bradley made the comment during a devolution panel discussion in the main party conference hall in Birmingham – watched by DUP leader Arlene Foster.
Ms Bradley said: "I want to be absolutely clear: This government will never allow there to be any break-up of the United kingdom with a border down the Irish Sea."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Theresa May sought to brush aside speculation about her relationship with Boris Johnson ahead of the former foreign secretary's arrival at the Conservative conference in Birmingham.
Asked how she had been getting on with Mr Johnson recently, she laughed and told BBC1's Breakfast: "Well, I'm sure that's going to be a very lively event this evening.
"At this conference what we're focusing on is the opportunity for this country once we leave the European Union and the opportunity that we want to ensure that people in this country have."
Mr Johnson addressed an event on the fringe of the conference at lunchtime.
Asked about Mr Johnson's description of her blueprint for the future relationship with the EU as "deranged", Mrs May told BBC Breakfast: "The Chequers plan is the one plan that delivers on the vote of the British people."
"I think it's a good deal for the UK. If the European Union have concerns about it, we need to hear what those concerns are."
