[Denver]

A leaked letter addressed to David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, suggests the UK government would back a vote allowing Northern Ireland to leave the UK.

Should the nation reunify with the Republic of Ireland, it would be able to join to European Union, the letter shows.

Because the Republic is already a member of the bloc, access would be automatic – unlike Scotland.

In the letter, seen by The Times, Mr Davis wrote: “If a majority of the people of Northern Ireland were ever to vote to become part of a united Ireland the UK Government will honour its commitment to enable that to happen.”

He added: “In that event, Northern Ireland would be in a position of becoming part of an existing EU member state, rather than seeking to join the EU as a new independent state.”

Under the Good Friday Agreement, the UK government is legally obliged to offer a referendum if public polls support it.

“If a majority of the people of Northern Ireland were ever to vote to become part of a united Ireland the UK Government will honour its commitment to enable that to happen.”
David Davis
It comes after the leader of Sinn Fein called for a referendum on leaving the UK “as soon as possible”.

Michelle O’Neill said Brexit would be a “disaster” for the province and rejoining the Republic would be one way of avoiding the negative effects.

Meanwhile, the Northern Irish power sharing agreement between unionists and republicans broke down on Monday.

The possibility of home rule – which would see Northern Ireland governed from Westminster – is now on the table.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/late...um-to-leave-UK