Theresa May says Brexit plan will work for Northern Ireland as she declares hard border 'inconceivable'

Theresa May has said the notion of a hard border in Ireland is "inconceivable" as she insisted the Brexit plan agreed at Chequers is the right deal for the UK.

The Prime Minister delivered an address at Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Friday in which she declared the Government's White Paper published last week "a coherent package" for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

Mrs May said the deal will protect the Belfast Agreement in full and ensure no border cuts Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

The Brexit negotiations have reached a sticking point as the UK and EU are at odds on how to avoid a hard border.

In her speech today Mrs May said the White Paper offers a viable solution that honours the Belfast Agreement, delivers on the referendum and is good for the UK economy.

She said the EU must now "evolve" on its position to move forward with negotiations.

Mrs May said "our job is not to deal with Brexit in theory but to make a success of it in practice".

Speaking of the UK's relationship with Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister said there can never be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

"Any agreement we reach with the EU will have to provide the frictionless movement of goods on the border," she said.

Mr May said that the concept of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was now "almost inconceivable".

"The seamless border is a foundation stone on which the Belfast Agreement rests, allowing for the just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities," she said.

"Anything that undermines that is a breach of the spirit of the Belfast Agreement - an agreement that we have committed to protect in all its parts and the EU says it will respect."

Mrs May said the White Paper set out a "principled and practical" Brexit that "comprehensively addresses our shared commitments to Northern Ireland".

"It is the right deal for the UK and I believe it is the basis for a new and strong relationship with the EU," she said.