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 7 Version 8
DUP's Foster hits out at May's Brexit 'propaganda' tour DUP's Foster hits out at May's Brexit 'propaganda' tour
(35 minutes 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".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". However, in a thinly-veiled message to the DUP, Mrs May urged MPs to "think about the national interest" ahead of a Commons vote on 11 December.
She said the deal ultimately protected jobs and the economy, and worked for Northern Ireland's unique situation. She rejected the claim by the DUP leader that she had "given up" on a better deal, saying the one on the table 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.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."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.""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".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." Asked about the backstop, a position of last resort to maintain an open border in the event of a no-deal situation, Mrs May said: "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. Speaking before meeting the prime minister at Stormont, Mrs Foster said the DUP remained opposed to the deal but added that if Mrs May "ditches the backstop there is every reason to think that this agreement could go through".
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 leader said the prime minister was "wasting her time" trying to sell the agreement because it would not get the approval of Parliament.
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.
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said he would be telling Mrs May that further time was needed to consult on the agreement.
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.
Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry said that across Northern Ireland "people have made it very clear that they do not want to see a no-deal situation".
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood urged the protection of the backstop mechanism at all costs "regardless of what happens on December 11", the day of the Commons vote on the deal.
Analysis: Mark Devenport, BBC News NI political editorAnalysis: 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 NIRead 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.
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.