KEIGHLEY and Ilkley MP John Grogan met Michel Barnier, the European Union’s Chief Brexit negotiator for 90 minutes in Brussels on Monday.

He was part of a small delegation of MPs from the Select Committee on Northern Ireland.

Mr Grogan said: "Northern Ireland and the border with the South is key to the whole Brexit talks. Monsieur Barnier told us that agreement had been reached on the continued operation of the common travel area between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

"Even after Brexit there will be no passport checks at the border. The problem lies in the fact that the United Kingdom may develop different trading arrangements and regulatory standards. Monsieur Barnier said the offer to the United Kingdom to remain in the internal market and the customs union still stood.

"I myself continue to see advantages in this proposal not just for the economy of Northern Ireland but for the whole of the United Kingdom."