SINN Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said the European Parliament is standing firm on the need to protect the backstop and called on the EU Council and Irish governments to do the same.
Negotiations between the British Government and EU are now at a critical stage with the issue around the Irish border a major stumbling block to reaching a deal over Brexit.
Martina Anderson said: “The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group, in a public statement, has made it clear that it is committed to the backstop as agreed in December 2017 by the EU and the British government and again by Theresa May in March.
“This continued support from the European Parliament for the need for a workable and legally operational backstop is to be welcomed.
“The European Parliament will not give in to threats from the DUP and have made it clear that without a backstop the Parliament will not back the Withdrawal Agreement when MEPs vote on it.
“The Tory government should not give in to DUP threats and bluster either and allow a minority to undermine what has been agreed.
“The Irish government too should look at the position of the European Parliament and Brexit Steering Group and stand firm to ensure the backstop is protected and built upon,” added the MEP.
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