Theresa May defends plan to leave EU customs union (Belfasttelegraph)

Theresa May has insisted that the UK must leave the customs union after Brexit in order to strike trade deals around the world.

The Prime Minister is facing a series of parliamentary battles in the coming weeks over the UK’s future customs arrangements with the EU.

After a massive defeat on the issue in the House of Lords, pro-European Tory MPs are set to voice their concerns over withdrawal from the customs union on Thursday.

But speaking on a local election campaign visit, Mrs May insisted that should would not change course.

She said arrangements which are as “frictionless as possible” with the EU and the ability to strike trade deals around the world were both achievable under the proposals set out by the Government. Read more