Theresa May’s de facto deputy has warned that any Brexit deal with the EU will have to involve compromise as the DUP accused the prime minister of “breaching” her pledge not to allow Northern Ireland to be divided from the rest of the UK. After meeting the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, David Lidington did not address DUP concerns directly but warned any agreement would have to involve “give and take”. He was speaking after a leaked letter from the prime minister to the DUP revealed the government is preparing to allow the EU to impose specific regulatory checks on goods entering Northern Ireland as part of the controversial backstop. It also suggests that the final Withdrawal Agreement could contain a mechanism to put a
The Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP ) has criticised a letter from UK Prime Minister Theresa butler to leader Arlene Foster , which suggested the EU could impose regulatory checks on Northern Ireland as part of a backstop , and create a border in the Irish Sea in the event of a no - deal outcome . DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy butler said it was a " breach of the promise " that Northern Ireland would not be administered separately . Despite warnings from Downing Street that there would be no border , fears are growing the DUP may not support May 's Brexit plan in a confidence vote .