JACOB Rees-Mogg has been criticised by the Republic of Ireland’s deputy prime minister after he said “inspections” on the border such as those during the Troubles could be brought back after Brexit.
The arch-Brexiteer Tory was blasted by the Tánaiste after he was filmed telling a town hall meeting that the UK could continue to be “keeping an eye” on those crossing from the Republic.
Simon Coveney tweeted the North-East Somerset MP had shown he was “ill-informed” about the sensitivities of the issue in Northern Ireland.
The obligation to minimise disruption on the border through the Good Friday Agreement has been a major stumbling block in Brexit negotiations.
Rees-Mogg, who heads up the hardline Brexit European Research Group, told the meeting that “historic arrangements” in Ireland could continue.
“There would be our ability, as we had during the Troubles, to have people inspected ... It’s not a border everyone has to go through every day.
“But, of course, for security reasons during the Troubles, we kept a very close eye on the border to try and stop gun-running and things like that.
“It’s not inconsistent to have a border that people can pass through but you are keeping an eye on.”
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