Intense Brexit negotiations are continuing in Brussels this weekend after Boris Johnson proposed a compromise to break the deadlock.
Sky News understandsthe prime minister’s planwould involve Northern Ireland continuing to administer European Union tariffs despite leaving the bloc’s customs union.
This would remove the need for customs checks but also allow the businesses north of the border to benefit from new UK trade deals by applying for a rebate from the government.
Downing Street has not officially confirmed the plan, but Mr Johnson stoked speculation on Friday by refusing to say whether Northern Ireland would stay in the EU customs union.
“I can certainly tell you that under no circumstances will we see anything that damages the ability of the whole of the United Kingdom to take full advantage of Brexit, “the prime minister said.
A government source said there had “clearly been some movement on both sides” but there was still a “way to go”.
The plan would potentially see some customs checks taking place in the Irish Sea on goods flowing between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
That could cause concern among unionist politicians who want Northern Ireland to leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the country.
Speaking on Friday, DUP leader Arlene Foster said: ” We have been consistent in our opposition to the backstop, whether UK or Northern Ireland only.
“Anything that traps Northern Ireland in the European Union, whether single market or customs union, as the rest of the United Kingdom leaves will not have our support. The prime minister is very mindful of that. “
Eurosceptic Conservative MPs have indicated they would be prepared to back a deal if the DUP also supports it.
” I suspect if the DUP is on board, fewer than seven Tory MPs will vote against “, said one.
However, another senior Brexiteer said he did not think the EU would agree to the new plan, equating it to former prime minister Theresa May’s failed “Checkers” proposal.
“I don ‘ t think they’ll do that, it’s not where they are at, “he said.
The proposal from Mr Johnson would replace the controversial backstop, the insurance policy aimed at avoiding a hard Irish border, which has proved the sticking point in negotiations.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said talks were intensifying “in a constructive spirit” and that Brussels “will do everything it can for an agreement, fully in line with our principles “.
Ambassadors from the 27 remaining EU nations will meet on Sunday to discuss progress in the talks ahead of a leader’s summit on Thursday.
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MPs will scrutinise any deal agreed with Brussels in a special sitting of the Commons next Saturday.
A government source said there was “certainly a possibility “there could be a vote next weekend on any new deal, but added they were currently a long way from that point.
Downing Street is confident that if the EU and MPs approve an agreement in the next week, there will still be enough time to pass the legislation needed to leave on October 31
According to the Times, Parliament could sit seven days a *** and late into the night to pass laws needed to leave on time.
But MPs calling for another referendum are drawing up plans to amend any vote brought back by the government.
Labor MP Phil Wilson told Sky News: “We’re definitely going to bring something back in some form that would help facilitate a second referendum on the deal because the people have the right to look at the deal and compare it with the one we already have. “
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