This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-46346567
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
DUP's Foster hits out at May's Brexit 'propaganda' tour | DUP's Foster hits out at May's Brexit 'propaganda' tour |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster has accused Theresa May of "giving up" on getting a better Brexit deal. | The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster has accused Theresa May of "giving up" on getting a better Brexit deal. |
The prime minister has arrived in Northern Ireland as part of her two-week push to sell her agreement. | The prime minister has arrived in Northern Ireland as part of her two-week push to sell her agreement. |
Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Foster accused her of engaging in "propaganda". | |
However, in a thinly-veiled message to the DUP, Mrs May urged MPs to "think about the national interest". | |
She said the deal ultimately protected jobs and the economy, and worked for Northern Ireland's unique situation. | |
During a visit to Queen's University in Belfast, she issued an appeal to opponents about the upcoming House of Commons vote. | |
"When that vote takes place, I hope that every MP will think about the national interest," she said. | |
"They will need to think about the people that they represent and their constituents." | |
The prime minister said that during her visit to Northern Ireland, she had heard positive feedback about "the certainty this deal provides". | |
Asked about the backstop, a position of last resort to maintain an open border in the event of a no-deal situation, Mrs May replied: "We already have regulatory differences between Great Britain and Northern Ireland on some issues, and that does not threaten the union of the United Kingdom." | |
The terms of the withdrawal agreement were approved by the 27 other EU leaders at a summit on Sunday. | The terms of the withdrawal agreement were approved by the 27 other EU leaders at a summit on Sunday. |
Mrs Foster said that the prime minister was "wasting time" trying to sell the agreement because it would not get the approval of Parliament. | Mrs Foster said that the prime minister was "wasting time" trying to sell the agreement because it would not get the approval of Parliament. |
She added that there was no way that the DUP could support it - the party has said that it will vote against the deal. | She added that there was no way that the DUP could support it - the party has said that it will vote against the deal. |
The DUP has warned that it will review its parliamentary pact with the Conservatives, which props up Mrs May's government, if the deal is approved by MPs. | The DUP has warned that it will review its parliamentary pact with the Conservatives, which props up Mrs May's government, if the deal is approved by MPs. |
Mrs Foster said she knew that "people are fed up" but added that it was not a reason to "accept what's on the table". | Mrs Foster said she knew that "people are fed up" but added that it was not a reason to "accept what's on the table". |
She also said it was "offensive" to suggest that there could be last-minute financial inducements from the government that could get the DUP on board. | She also said it was "offensive" to suggest that there could be last-minute financial inducements from the government that could get the DUP on board. |
Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party in Northern Ireland, which are all anti-Brexit, have spoken in support of the draft deal. | Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party in Northern Ireland, which are all anti-Brexit, have spoken in support of the draft deal. |
Analysis: Mark Devenport, BBC News NI political editor | Analysis: Mark Devenport, BBC News NI political editor |
Politics can be a topsy-turvy business. | Politics can be a topsy-turvy business. |
Not so long ago, the four Stormont parties opposed to Brexit complained that Theresa May was refusing to see them as a joint delegation. | Not so long ago, the four Stormont parties opposed to Brexit complained that Theresa May was refusing to see them as a joint delegation. |
But the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Westminster opposition leaders had been happy to meet them. | But the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Westminster opposition leaders had been happy to meet them. |
Now their - still separate - encounters with the prime minister at Stormont promise to be rather more consensual than Mrs May's meeting with her semi-detached parliamentary allies in the DUP. | Now their - still separate - encounters with the prime minister at Stormont promise to be rather more consensual than Mrs May's meeting with her semi-detached parliamentary allies in the DUP. |
Read more: May likely to face mixed reception in NI | Read more: May likely to face mixed reception in NI |
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has said his party will oppose it, calling it "the worst of all worlds". | Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has said his party will oppose it, calling it "the worst of all worlds". |
Ex-defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Mrs May's Brexit deal is "doomed" and must be renegotiated. | Ex-defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Mrs May's Brexit deal is "doomed" and must be renegotiated. |
US President Donald Trump has suggested the draft agreement could threaten a US-UK trade deal. | US President Donald Trump has suggested the draft agreement could threaten a US-UK trade deal. |
Mrs May rejected that, adding that the UK is in talks with the US about their future trading relationship. | Mrs May rejected that, adding that the UK is in talks with the US about their future trading relationship. |
Parliament will decide whether to accept or reject the package in a vote on 11 December. | Parliament will decide whether to accept or reject the package in a vote on 11 December. |
Mrs May's campaign - which saw her appeal to the public in a "letter to the nation" last weekend - could also include a televised debate with Mr Corbyn, the Daily Telegraph has reported. | Mrs May's campaign - which saw her appeal to the public in a "letter to the nation" last weekend - could also include a televised debate with Mr Corbyn, the Daily Telegraph has reported. |
The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, whether the deal is sanctioned or not. | The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, whether the deal is sanctioned or not. |