By Ben Kerrigan
Boris Johnson has been told his preparations for a no-deal Brexit must include planning for an Irish border referendum.
On his first visit to Northern Ireland as prime minister, Mr Johnson discussed troubling issues about Brexit and power sharing at Stormont with representatives from the five parties
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald revealed her party had challenged Mr Johnson “very strongly” on his promise to take the UK out of the EU on 31 October, with or without a divorce deal.
That agreement backed by all parties in Northern Ireland, the UK and Irish governments along with the European Union, has been the background to a row over the border and resulted in the issue becoming the major obstacle in Brexit negotiations
Ms McDonald took the opportunity to stress her demand for a public poll on Irish reunification in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
“We’ve set out very clearly that this will be catastrophic for the Irish economy, for Irish livelihoods, for our society, for our politics and for our peace accord,” she said.
“We’ve made it clear to him that the extensive planning that he tells us he’s carrying out in respect of a potential crash Brexit has to include the constitutional question and the issue of a border poll here in Ireland.
“We’ve stated to him very clearly that Brexit in any event – but certainly a disorderly Brexit – represents in anybody’s language a dramatic change of circumstances on this island.
“It would be unthinkable in those circumstances that people would not be given the opportunity to decide on our future together.”
“The crucial thing to stress is that I, obviously, attach huge importance to the letter, the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.
Boris Johnson has hinted that the UK could stay in a customs union with Europe for another two years.
During his visit to Wales, the prime minister indicated that he could include a transition period designed to soften the impact of leaving the EU on UK businesses.
Mr Johnson said: “Some of the (No Deal) changes that are going to be necessary in the run-up to October 31 will be crucial anyway if we are going to come out of the customs union and single market, as we must, in the course of the next couple of years.”