Protestors demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, Oct. 17, 2019. The Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit draft, despite it just being agreed with the European Union, making it difficult to get approved by the British parliament. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
LONDON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit draft, despite it just being agreed with the European Union, making it difficult to get approved by the British parliament.
The pound sterling lost 0.5 percent against the dollar and the euro within minutes of the DUP statement.
DUP support for Johnson's Brexit proposals are seen as crucial to ensure it has a better chance of getting backing in the House of Commons on Saturday.
"As things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT (value added tax)," DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds said in a statement Thursday morning.
"We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom," it said.
The European Union and Britain have reached a new Brexit deal, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, said Thursday on Twitter.
"Where there is a will, there is a #deal -- we have one! It's a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is a testament to our commitment to find solutions," said Juncker hours before an EU summit, where leaders of the other 27 member states are expected to approve the deal.
Political commentators on either side of the Irish Sea say the sticking point for the DUP is that the current wording of the deal could mean different rules applying to trading arrangements in Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain.
Britain's housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, said in a BBC radio interview Thursday morning that Johnson and his team are in intensive negotiations with all parties, including with the DUP.
"We want to provide sufficient comfort for the DUP and unionists in Northern Ireland to feel that the arrangements we would put in place with this deal are sufficient to give them comfort to support it," Jenrick said.
If a deal is agreed this week, it could still leave enough time for Britain to leave the EU on Oct. 31.
