Under the plan, Northern Ireland would match Irish and EU rules in certain sectors after Brexit to avoid the need for a hard border.The Sun revealed European capitals were brainstorming - where the province would mirror Brussels on animal and plant health.
Speaking in yesterday’s debate, Mr Johnson said: “There are practical agreements that we can find which avoid anyone putting infrastructure on the Irish border. The backstop is designed to avoid a hard border on Ireland by tying the UK to EU customs rules unless a new trade agreement is signed. Michel Barnier’s deputy, Stephanie Riso, told a meeting of EU diplomats that the lack of a British plan meant No Deal has never been more likely.
“The Withdrawal Agreement is not now something being discussed. We’re not insisting now on having anything on paper, it can be digital as well.”But the spokeswoman declined to publicly contradict Mr Johnson’s claim that the talks are moving forward.