The Prime Minister reaffirmed her commitments to the Northern Ireland and Ireland border in her speech at Mansion House, recognising the unique circumstances in Northern Ireland, and our shared commitments to avoiding a hard border. We have always been clear from the outset that the best way to achieve this is through the overall relationship between the UK and the EU.

As the Prime Minister set out in her letter to Donald Tusk, we have agreed that, at least, the so-called ‘backstop’ option should be translated in legally binding form in to the Withdrawal Agreement. There are some aspects of the Commission’s proposals which we agree with - particularly the preservation of the Common Travel Area. The Prime Minister has made our position on the other elements of the draft text clear, and said that we could never accept this. There is agreement that the scope of the issues covered by the draft Protocol - focusing on goods and agriculture - reflects the right set of issues.

Following March European Council, the UK and EU negotiating teams are now engaged in an intensive round of discussions to negotiate in detail on all the issues and scenarios set out in the Joint Report.