Varadkar says Ireland is stepping up plans for a no-deal Brexit

Politicians north and south of border turn on Sinn Fi(C)in for abstaining in Commons vote

The Irish prime minister has said his government is stepping up preparations for a no-deal Brexit as politicians in the Republic and Northern Ireland turned on Sinn Fi(C)in for not taking up its seats in Westminster to help defeat the government on knife-edge trade and customs votes.

Leo Varadkar said the instability in Westminster meant there was no guarantee that a withdrawal agreement, even if agreed in Brussels, would get passed in London.