US and Canada border could be example for Ireland, says May (despite armed guards)

The prime minister has said the government was looking at customs arrangements between the United States and Canada as a possible solution to the Irish border issue – despite it having armed guards.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Theresa May, in answer to a question from Labour MP Emma Reynolds, said: “There are many examples of different arrangements for customs around the rest of the world. Indeed we are looking at those, including for example the border between the United States and Canada.”

When it was pointed out to the prime minister that there were “armed customs guards” between Canada and the US, Mrs May said the Government was looking at arrangements “in a number of countries”.

Shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman said: “The member for Wolverhampton North East asked earlier where an example could be found of a border between jurisdictions and the prime minister gave the example of Canada and America as being a soft, frictionless border. T

“here are guns and armed customs guards on that border, surely that’s not what she has in mind?”

Mrs May said: “We are looking at the border arrangements in a number of countries around the world.”

She added: “This is something that has been picked up within the European Parliament and it has been made clear that there are innovative solutions that can deliver exactly what we’re talking about.”