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Brexit: Northern Ireland staying in customs union a 'matter for negotiations', says Number 10 Brexit: Downing Street back away from saying Northern Ireland's customs union membership was up for negotiation
(35 minutes later)
Downing Street has rowed back on suggestions that Northern Ireland could remain in the customs union after Brexit - after claiming it was "a matter for negotiations".Downing Street has rowed back on suggestions that Northern Ireland could remain in the customs union after Brexit - after claiming it was "a matter for negotiations".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman initially told journalists the subject was up for discussion in Brexit talks, in remarks that will prompt concern among Theresa May's allies in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - who support the UK leaving both EU trade agreements.The Prime Minister's official spokesman initially told journalists the subject was up for discussion in Brexit talks, in remarks that will prompt concern among Theresa May's allies in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - who support the UK leaving both EU trade agreements.
Asked if Northern Ireland could stay in the customs union after Brexit, the PM's spokesman said: "I think that is a matter for negotiations. Asked if Northern Ireland could stay in the customs union after Brexit, the PM's spokesman said: "I think that is a matter for negotiations. 
"Our position on Northern Ireland has been set out in the papers and we need to continue to negotiate to find an innovative way forward.""Our position on Northern Ireland has been set out in the papers and we need to continue to negotiate to find an innovative way forward."
However a Downing Street source later insisted that the Government's position that the whole of the UK will leave both the customs union and single market after Brexit has not changed.However a Downing Street source later insisted that the Government's position that the whole of the UK will leave both the customs union and single market after Brexit has not changed.
The future of the Northern Ireland border remains a key issue in the talks with Brussels, as the UK leaving the European Union's single market and customs unions would traditionally require a customs border on the island of Ireland.The future of the Northern Ireland border remains a key issue in the talks with Brussels, as the UK leaving the European Union's single market and customs unions would traditionally require a customs border on the island of Ireland.
Ms May is facing intense pressure from both Belfast and Dublin to find a solution amid threats that Ireland will try to block EU trade talks if it is does not receive further assurances that there would be no "hard border".Ms May is facing intense pressure from both Belfast and Dublin to find a solution amid threats that Ireland will try to block EU trade talks if it is does not receive further assurances that there would be no "hard border".
Earlier, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said it was difficult to see how border checks could be avoided if the UK's departure from the customs union and single market resulted in "regulatory divergence" between the North and the Republic.Earlier, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said it was difficult to see how border checks could be avoided if the UK's departure from the customs union and single market resulted in "regulatory divergence" between the North and the Republic.
But DUP leader Arlene Foster fired off a warning over any divergence between the regulatory framework of Northern Ireland and the British mainland, and warned the Irish government of "using the negotiations in Europe to put forward their views on what they believe the island of Ireland should look like in the future".But DUP leader Arlene Foster fired off a warning over any divergence between the regulatory framework of Northern Ireland and the British mainland, and warned the Irish government of "using the negotiations in Europe to put forward their views on what they believe the island of Ireland should look like in the future".
Arriving in Brussels for a gathering of leaders from the EU and former Soviet states, the Prime Minister said it was time to move on to the "next stage" in the negotiations, including talks on a free trade deal.Arriving in Brussels for a gathering of leaders from the EU and former Soviet states, the Prime Minister said it was time to move on to the "next stage" in the negotiations, including talks on a free trade deal.
However Mr Coveney insisted EU leaders would not give the green light for the phase two negotiations to begin at their summit in December unless there was progress on the border issue.However Mr Coveney insisted EU leaders would not give the green light for the phase two negotiations to begin at their summit in December unless there was progress on the border issue.
He said British assurances on the issue were "aspirational" and that there had to be a "credible roadmap" from the UK setting out how they would ensure there was no return to a hard border.He said British assurances on the issue were "aspirational" and that there had to be a "credible roadmap" from the UK setting out how they would ensure there was no return to a hard border.
Mr Coveney said other member states were fully behind Ireland's stance on the issue, adding: "I don't think Ireland will have to block anything on its own. There is absolute solidarity across 27 countries here. They are with Ireland on this.Mr Coveney said other member states were fully behind Ireland's stance on the issue, adding: "I don't think Ireland will have to block anything on its own. There is absolute solidarity across 27 countries here. They are with Ireland on this.
Mrs May said she hoped the EU and the UK would be able to "step forward together" into the second phase of the negotiations.Mrs May said she hoped the EU and the UK would be able to "step forward together" into the second phase of the negotiations.
"These negotiations are continuing but what I am clear about is that we must step forward together," she said."These negotiations are continuing but what I am clear about is that we must step forward together," she said.
"This is for both the UK and the European Union to move onto the next stage.""This is for both the UK and the European Union to move onto the next stage."
The Prime Minister will hold fresh talks with European Council President Donald Tusk at a summit with Eastern European nations on Friday amid reports she is preparing to offer some £40bn to the EU to open up trade talks next month.The Prime Minister will hold fresh talks with European Council President Donald Tusk at a summit with Eastern European nations on Friday amid reports she is preparing to offer some £40bn to the EU to open up trade talks next month.
EU officials reportedly described the meeting as a bid to agree the "choreography" of a deal, which must be agreed before the European Council summit next month to allow discussions to move on to future trade relations.EU officials reportedly described the meeting as a bid to agree the "choreography" of a deal, which must be agreed before the European Council summit next month to allow discussions to move on to future trade relations.
Ms May is understood to have secured the backing of the Cabinet to double the amount offered to the EU to around £40bn but she agreed with ministers that the extra cash must be conditional on what kind of trade deal is available.Ms May is understood to have secured the backing of the Cabinet to double the amount offered to the EU to around £40bn but she agreed with ministers that the extra cash must be conditional on what kind of trade deal is available.