May suggests Brexiters' customs plan could be Irish border solution

Facing pressure from rebels, PM puts technological model back on cabinet table

Theresa May has offered a sop to rebellious hard Brexiters by suggesting technological solutions previously dismissed by No 10 could ultimately be used to maintain an invisible border between the UK and Ireland.

The unexpected change arose on Tuesday during a two-and-a-half hour cabinet meeting at which, the prime minister's spokesman said, ministers had discussed "the potential for alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border" in Ireland.