The prime minister , Theresa May , has rejected the European Union 's proposal for the Northern Ireland border after Brexit . The EU draft legal framework calls for a " backstop " in the event that the UK fails to find a solution , which would be an " area without internal borders in which the free movement of goods is ensured " . But Labour said the EU-UK government "war of words" needs to end. " May said " no UK prime minister could ever agree " to the proposal , which would in effect keep Northern Ireland within a customs union . Michel Barnier , the EU 's chief negotiator , called for the UK to carry out an alternative proposal .
The prime minister , Theresa May , has rejected the European Union 's proposal for the Northern Ireland border after Brexit . The EU draft legal framework calls for a " backstop " in the event that the UK fails to find a solution , which would be an " area without internal borders in which the free movement of goods is ensured " . May said " no UK prime minister could ever agree " to the proposal , which would in effect keep Northern Ireland within a customs union . Michel Barnier , the EU 's chief negotiator , called for the UK to carry out an alternative proposal .