Government clashes with its own business advisers over no-deal Brexit

A group of business experts appointed by the UK government to look for alternatives to the “backstop arrangement” for the Northern Irish border have clashed with Westminster over the possibility of a no-deal Brexit

According to the BBC, which obtained internal documents from the Business and Trade Union Alternative Arrangements Advisory Group, some of the experts are refusing to sign-off on the terms of reference that they include, because they are concerned that they might be used to endorse a plan of action in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Business and Trade Union Alternative Arrangements Advisory Group which is mostly made up of Northern Ireland business leaders, was appointed by the department for Exiting the European Union to advise on the feasibility of new technologies that could maintain the current free flowing Irish border after Brexit.

But the members are keen on ensuring their conclusions cannot be used to endorse a no-deal Brexit.

Irish PM Leo Varadkar spoke on Monday about the Irish border situation regarding Brexit and said: "In the event of no deal, keeping border open a very difficult situation for us"

“Fundamentally what is required, deal or no deal, is regulatory alignment. We are prepared for a no deal Brexit but will work hard to avoid such an outcome.”