- PM mocked SNP Westminster chief Ian Blackford in the Commons earlier today
- Blackford demanded May tells MPs that she was committed to a soft border
- His question came despite repeated promises from May and the draft Brexit deal
An exasperated Theresa May tonight demanded the SNP Westminster leader ‘Google’ her position on the Irish border after he asked her to repeat it.
Ian Blackford insisted the Prime Minister should tell the Commons she was committed to a soft border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Mrs May has said repeatedly that is what she seeks and promises on the Irish question were enshrined in a draft Brexit deal sealed amid a tense stand off last week.
An exasperated Theresa May tonight demanded the SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford (pictured in the Commons today) ‘Google’ her position on the Irish border
Mr Blackford insisted the Prime Minister should tell the Commons she was committed to a soft border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Mr Blackford highlighted contradictions in the UK Government’s Brexit approach in his response to Mrs May’s Commons statement on her draft deal today.
He added: ‘For the absence of any doubt, can the Prime Minister tell the House today that in no circumstances will we be returning to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
‘Let’s make this commitment in the House today.’
Mr Blackford said all governments across the UK should be ‘fully involved’ in the next phase of Brexit talks.
He added: ‘Any special arrangements for Northern Ireland must now be available to all nations of the United Kingdom.
‘The SNP will continue to speak with one loud and clear voice – the Prime Minister must commit today to keeping the UK in the single market and customs union.
‘To do otherwise would be catastrophic for jobs, for workers’ rights, for people’s incomes and living standards.’
Mrs May (pictured in the Commons today) has said repeatedly a soft border is what she seeks and promises on the Irish question were enshrined in a draft Brexit deal last week
Mrs May replied: ‘(Mr Blackford) asks me to confirm in this House that there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
‘I have to say to him, it’s not the first time I’ve made this statement in this House – he can Google it and find from Hansard how many times I’ve said it.
‘Indeed, if he had listened to my statement and looked at it, I said the joint report reaffirms our guarantee that there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.’
Mrs May added Northern Ireland has a land border with a country remaining inside the EU, noting: ‘It is already the case that there are a number of unique specific solutions that pertain to the island of Ireland – the common electricity market, for example.’
On the single market and customs union, Mrs May reiterated the UK will be leaving both.