Brexit - live updates: Theresa May's EU deal under threat from DUP over Northern Ireland border dispute

Theresa May leaves Brussels without securing an agreement on terms of Britain's withdrawal from the EU

Theresa May's EU deal under threat from DUP over Northern Ireland border dispute

Theresa May is trying to keep her Brexit plans afloat today after her Northern Irish political partners blocked her attempts to secure a withdrawal agreement with the EU.

The Prime Minister was set to call the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to convince her to back her proposals for what should happen with Northern Ireland’s land border after Brexit.

Downing Street has indicated Ms May hoped to be back in Brussels before the end of the week to secure the agreement, after the DUP refused to accept plans that could have seen Belfast following a different regulatory regime than London.

But the fallout has highlighted Ms May's dependence on the DUP, and given her opponents the chance to pressure her over her failure to secure the deal so far.

Labour has called an urgent question in the House of Commons today, giving Sir Keir Starmer another chance to shout about the major problems the Government finds itself in.

Ms May is planning to return to Brussels before the end of the week, as time runs out to persuade leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations "sufficient progress" has been made to move Brexit negotiations on to their second phase.

The next phase would deal with trade and the transition to a new relationship, but if Ms May fails to move forward new questions will be raised in Tory ranks about her own ability to see through Brexit.

Key Points

• David Davis vows Northern Ireland will not be ‘left behind’ in EU single market or customs union with softer Brexit deal
• The Brext show is now in London,' EU says, after DUP collapses talks
• Ruth Davidson says entire UK must remain 'aligned' with EU customs union
• No deal in Brussels after DUP torpedoes Northern Ireland agreement
• Sturgeon says Scotland should be allowed to 'stay in EU single market' if Northern Ireland can
• All you need to know about the day that could bring down Theresa May

[5 December 2017 18:16 · Samuel Osborne]

[5 December 2017 18:31 · Samuel Osborne]