REVEALED: Brexiteer MPs' plan Chequers alternative to BREAK the deadlock on Irish question
BREXITEER MPs want to allow EU staff into UK ports to prevent a hard border with Ireland and “show willing” to Brussels in their new Brexit model which will act as an alternative to the Chequers deal.
EU staff would man ports such as Liverpool and Bristol in the same way UK Border Force man posts at Calais in France.
The idea is expected to be included in the Brexit blueprint championed by the Tory Eurosceptic group, led by influential Conservatives Steve Baker and Jacob Rees-Mogg, who will release their plans next week.
Westminster and Brussels have been at a standstill over the ‘Irish problem’, because there are concerns customs checks between the North and the Republic will require a ‘hard border’.
The EU fears without checks, goods could effectively be smuggled into the EU via Northern Ireland, where they could avoid the necessary checks and duties.
A senior Conservative said: “Ireland is key to everything and we’re keen to show it’s not a problem. This is reversing Le Touquet.
“If the EU is so worried about checks they could come into our ports.”
The plans are believed to cover not only the ‘Irish question’ but immigration, farming and agriculture.
It is expected to be backed by Boris Johnson, who resigned as Foreign Secretary in July after the Chequers deal was announced.
Mr Johnson said on Monday: “In adopting the Chequers proposals, we have gone into battle with the white flag fluttering over the leading tank.
“If we continue on this basis we will throw away most of the advantages of Brexit.”
However, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley on Thursday warned Brexiteers failing to back Theresa May’s Chequers plan could end their Brexit dream altogether.
She said coming with “different approaches and different proposals might mean Brexit simply doesn’t happen”.
She urged her fellow Tory MPs to “get behind” the Prime Minister in working towards the Chequers proposal.
She added: “I want to see Brexit happen, my constituents voted for it, the country voted for it.
“I want to see it happen, but I want to see it happen in a way that is a success for the UK."