Boris Johnson is facing a fresh Brexit headache after opposition MPs claimed they had enough support to force the prime minister to negotiate a customs union with the EU.
Labour said there was a “very good chance” of a customs union motion being passed by the Commons later this week, as the DUP appeared to indicate that it could support the plan.
In a move that could scupper the government’s pledge to deliver Brexit by 31 October, the Northern Irish party hinted that it might join forces with Labour and other opposition parties to vote for a closer economic relationship with the EU after Brexit.
The move would likely force Mr Johnson to ditch plans to enact his deal in time for the Halloween deadline and instead accept the inevitability of a further delay to Brexit. He would then be expected to turn his efforts to trying to trigger a general election.
Labour is expected to table a customs union amendment later this week when MPs vote on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which would implement Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal in law.
