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Brexit deal: NI business leaders at Number 10 to meet PM Brexit deal: NI business leaders meet PM at Number 10
(about 2 hours later)
Northern Ireland business leaders and representatives of several major employers have arrived at Downing Street to meet the prime minister. Northern Ireland business leaders and representatives of several major employers have met the prime minister at Downing Street.
The move is seen as a show of support for Theresa May's Brexit deal. The move has been seen as a show of support for Theresa May's Brexit deal.
The talks are expected to be attended by about 40 individuals, including leaders of business groups and bosses of individual companies. The talks were attended by individuals, including leaders of business groups and bosses of individual companies.
It is understood that an hour has been set aside for the discussions. The delegation was comprised of businesses large and small, urban and rural, industrial and agricultural.
Business groups like the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland back the withdrawal agreement, largely as it avoids a no-deal exit from the European Union.Business groups like the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland back the withdrawal agreement, largely as it avoids a no-deal exit from the European Union.
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has gone further in calling on the DUP to back the deal. The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has gone further, by calling on the DUP to back the deal.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has said representatives from wider civic society will also be in attendance, including voluntary and community sectors and universities.
'Absurd'
However, the DUP MP Sammy Wilson has said businesses are being used as "puppets" by the Northern Ireland Office.However, the DUP MP Sammy Wilson has said businesses are being used as "puppets" by the Northern Ireland Office.
Thursday's talks will likely involve a question and answer session. A view which was echoed by the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Jim Allister, who accused businesses of "lining up to pay homage" to the prime minister.
Stephen Kelly, the chief executive of Manufacturing NI, said they will tell Mrs May: "We back the deal. Good luck. What do we need to do to help?" 'Positive engagement'
He added the delegation will comprise of businesses large and small, urban and rural, industrial and agricultural. After the meeting, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster Colin Neill said: "It wasn't a case of a fan club turning up."
The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Jim Allister accused them of "lining up to pay homage" to the prime minister. Mr Neill added that businesses at the meeting had come along to "find out where we are currently".
He said they had failed to answer why they are supportive of a backstop which involves regulations on imports from Great Britain. He reiterated that businesses still had some concerns about the deal, but said: "The prime minister reassured us in the room that the deal, as it stands, allows unfettered access between Northern Ireland and Great Britain."
"The rush to embrace a crippling Irish Sea border is as absurd as it is destructive of our economy," he added. Claire Guinness from Warrenpoint Harbour said it "was a very positive engagement" and "there was a spontaneous round of applause" for the prime minister.
Confidence-and-supply 'still in existence' Manufacturing NI's Stephen Kelly said delegation had met with other politicians besides the prime minister.
It comes as the DUP leader Arlene Foster said she wants to meet business organisations who have come out in support of the draft EU withdrawal agreement. "We would hope the the UK would back this deal because the alternative is no deal and that's a disaster for the Northern Ireland economy," he added.
Meanwhile, the DUP leader Arlene Foster said she wants to meet business organisations who have come out in support of the draft EU withdrawal agreement.
Arlene Foster said that she wants the meeting to be next week "if they want to meet me".Arlene Foster said that she wants the meeting to be next week "if they want to meet me".
The DUP leader declined to state whether she supported Sammy Wilson's "puppets" description, but said she met a businessman who employs 300 people and has a turnover of £70m who is "absolutely outraged" by the Brexit deal. On Wednesday the DUP leader said she met a businessman who employs 300 people and has a turnover of £70m who is "absolutely outraged" by the Brexit deal.
She said there were many more like him who had "a clear view on the withdrawal agreement".She said there were many more like him who had "a clear view on the withdrawal agreement".
The BBC understands the DUP have asked the NI Chamber of Commerce to facilitate a meeting with business organisations on Monday.The BBC understands the DUP have asked the NI Chamber of Commerce to facilitate a meeting with business organisations on Monday.
However, the former First Minister denied her party's confidence and supply agreement with the government was dead, adding it was "very much still in existence".