The UK must agree a “backstop” plan for the Northern Ireland border after Brexit as “a matter of some urgency”, the EU’s chief negotiator has warned.
Speaking after the latest round of negotiations, Michel Barnier said that without a detailed plan, “there will be no agreement”.
The sticking point relates to what should happen to the Northern Ireland border if the UK and EU are unable to reach a trade deal that would see an open border maintained.
Speaking alongside Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, Mr Barnier said: “We must have a detailed backstop solution, which is legally operational, in the withdrawal agreement.
“The prime minister, Theresa May, committed herself to this, as have all the leaders of EU institution – the parliament for example.”
He added: “It is a matter of some urgency. We have to work on drafting an operational backstop.
“This backstop is critical – its essential to conclude the negotiations. With no backstop there will be no agreement.”
Mr Barnier said he had asked the UK to provide the technical data needed to plan how customs checks could work after Brexit.
Mr Raab said the UK was “committed” to agreeing a plan.
He added: “The solutions must be workable. They ‘ve got to be workable for the communities living in Northern Ireland and living in the Republic of Ireland – the people affected in their daily lives by what Michel and I are negotiating on behalf of the EU and the UK at the moment.