‘Not a REAL Brexit!’ DUP chief whip TRASHES Theresa Mays deal – 'we don't FEAR election'
THERESA May's Brexit deal could "undermine" the integrity of the United Kingdom, warned DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as he claimed his Party does not "fear a general election".
Brexit deal 'undermines integrity of UK' says Jeffrey Donaldson
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, Sir Jeffrey warned Theresa May's Brexit deal could lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom. He warned the deal would leave Northern Ireland closely aligned with the EU in the "long term" and could increase support for Scottish independence. The DUP party's chief whip blasted Mrs May's deal was "not the right Brexit".
"This is not the real Brexit. This undermines the integrity of the United Kingdom
He added the Unionist party "don't fear a general election" when asked whether it would risk Jeremy Corbyn, a long-term supporter of a united Ireland.
He said: "It's not about who is Prime Minister, it's not about who governs the country, it's about the constitutional and economic integrity of the UK, that is fundamental for us.
"And it is not just us, the DUP does not stand alone on this, we have many friends within the Conservative Party and indeed in some other parties, who believe this deal has the potential to lead to the break-up of the UK.
"That is not something we can support."
Andrea Leadsom, Leader of the House of Commons and Brexit supporter, said she was optimistic about a "good deal".
Doorstepped by Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, she said: "I've had a good conversation with the Prime Minster and I'm looking at the details of the deal today and I'm extremely optimistic that we'll have a good deal, but I'm looking at the details today."
Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, told Sky News: "It is worrying times, there's no doubt about that.
"What we'll be looking at is the text, hopefully, we'll actually get to see the text so that we can make our own judgment on that.
Brexit: It is WORRYING times says Arlene Foster
She said that a customs union had to go together with membership of the single market and its regulatory framework, saying "they have to be together".
She said: "If you speak... to British business they will tell you a customs union is important, but so is the regulatory alignment as well. That is what I need to see."