Community leaders tell Theresa May of their fears about a hard Brexit

Community leaders have warned the Prime Minister about their fears of the impact of a hard Brexit on Northern Ireland.

Theresa May spoke to a number of community leaders during a visit to the 174 Trust in north Belfast on Tuesday.

Pro-Palestine supporters held a protest outside the venue during the visit, and were held back by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Inside the community centre Mrs May took part in round table discussions.

Seamus McAleavey, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) said he told Mrs May that there is a real fear in Northern Ireland over Brexit.

“We told the Prime Minister what we thought with regard to the issues, there is a real fear in Northern Ireland that if we leave the EU with no deal it would have a catastrophic impact on Northern Ireland in particular and the UK,” he said.

“We did support her Withdrawal Deal and we do think the backstop is very important as well.”

Peter McBride, chief executive of Inspire, said he told the Prime Minister of a “palatable sense of frustration” in the community about how Northern Ireland’s views are being represented at Westminster.

“There is one side that is being represented in Westminster but that doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of all the people in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“This was an opportunity to describe to her some of the risks that there are in the face of a no deal, and as Seamus said, the backstop arrangement is something that is attractive and probably is necessary, and certainly better than no deal.

“My experience of her was that she listened intently, engaged with us, asked questions and was very keen to hear what it was like on the ground.”