Northern Ireland could remain an effective member of the customs union and the single market as part of the UK’s Brexit deal with the EU, according to an MEP.

Belgian Philippe Lamberts said on Monday the draft text of the deal expected to be agreed on Monday would see almost “full alignment” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Irish government has said it will not agree to any deal that would see physical checks on the border amid fears it could endanger the Good Friday Agreement.

But such a deal could effectively see the EU border erected in the Irish Sea between the island of Ireland and mainland Britain.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up Theresa May’s minority government, has previously said it would reject any such proposal.

Lamberts told Sky News: “The British government would commit to maintain full alignment of legislation, where pertinent of course, so single market and customs union legislation, that might potentially create a border, will remain fully aligned so there is not.”

The draft text of the agreement seen by RTE states:

“In the absence of agreed solutions the UK will ensure that there continues to be no divergence from those rules of the internal market and the customs union which, now or in the future, support North South cooperation and the protection of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Shortly after the reports emerged, Downing Street said May would not agree to any deal that led to an economic border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

“The prime minister has been clear that the UK is leaving the EU as a whole, and the territorial and economic integrity of the UK will be protected,” spokesperson for the prime minister said.

May is holding crunch talks in Brussels today in order to hammer out a deal on the Northern Ireland border, citizens’ rights and the UK’s divorce bill.

The EU has refused to progress talks to phase two, negotiations on a future trade relationship, until those three issues are settled.