Brexit deal: PM thanks NI business leaders for support

Theresa May has thanked Northern Ireland business leaders and representatives of several major employers for supporting her Brexit deal.

She has had hour-long talks with them in Downing Street on Thursday.

In a statement afterwards, the prime minister said their voices were "incredibly important".

The DUP has been critical of business organisations for speaking in favour of Mrs May's deal.

The meeting was attended by about 50 people, representing businesses and the community and voluntary sector.

Business groups like the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland back the withdrawal agreement, largely as it avoids a no-deal exit from the European Union.

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has gone further, by calling on the DUP to back the deal.

The prime minister told the delegation that the draft withdrawal agreement and political declaration on the UK-EU future relationship should provide businesses "with the reassurance that I know is so important to you".

"That's a transition period to avoid a cliff-edge for businesses and to provide the certainty you need to invest," she added.

"An outline relationship that creates a new free trade area with the EU, with no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions.

"And no hard border within the island of Ireland."

Earlier this week, the DUP MP Sammy Wilson said businesses are being used as "puppets" by the Northern Ireland Office.

A view which was echoed by the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Jim Allister, who accused businesses of "lining up to pay homage" to the prime minister.

After the meeting, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster Colin Neill said: "It wasn't a case of a fan club turning up."

Mr Neill added that businesses at the meeting had come along to "find out where we are currently".

He reiterated that businesses still had some concerns about the deal, but said: "The prime minister reassured us in the room that the deal, as it stands, allows unfettered access between Northern Ireland and Great Britain."

Claire Guinness from Warrenpoint Harbour said it "was a very positive engagement" and "there was a spontaneous round of applause" for the prime minister.

Manufacturing NI's Stephen Kelly said delegation had met with other politicians besides the prime minister.

"We would hope the UK would back this deal because the alternative is no deal and that's a disaster for the Northern Ireland economy," he added.

Meanwhile, the DUP leader Arlene Foster said she wants to meet business organisations who have come out in support of the draft EU withdrawal agreement.

Arlene Foster said that she wants the meeting to be next week "if they want to meet me".

On Wednesday the DUP leader said she met a businessman who employs 300 people and has a turnover of £70m who is "absolutely outraged" by the Brexit deal.

She said there were many more like him who had "a clear view on the withdrawal agreement".

The BBC understands the DUP have asked the NI Chamber of Commerce to facilitate a meeting with business organisations on Monday.