Boris Johnson's Brexit plan receives crushing blow as DUP say they cannot 'support what is being suggested'

Boris Johnson's Brexit plans have received a crushing blow as the Democratic Unionist Party said they "could not support" what is being proposed.

A statement from the DUP leader Arlene Foster released at 7am on Thursday read: "We have been involved in ongoing discussions with the government.

"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.

"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 comes as EU leaders gather in Brussels to sign off any agreement with the UK government, but the decision from the DUP effectively torpedoes the prime minister's hopes of passing a deal through the House of Commons on Saturday.

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