Thread by @JamesERothwell

Per sources, consent from unionists at Stormont - not customs or funding - is now the DUP's biggest problem with the Brexit deal.

Customs - done. Funding - would be nice, but not the key issue

Report from Belfast:

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…

DUP feels that the EU proposal is the wrong way around, offering an opt-out of EU rules rather than an opt-in.

DUP concerned that anti-Brexit parties in Stormont would never allow a hard border so they would be stuck with the backstop forever.

Other big worry is EU proposals for a simple majority vote in Stormont. DUP sources stress that consent isn't a one way road - got to have unionists and nationalists on board.

If majority in Assembly vote for backstop, but DUP votes against, they say that that is not consent

DUP doesn't want a N Ireland-only referendum on the backstop either, because in their view it would pave the way to a united Ireland

Incidentally, nationalists tell me in their view it does the opposite - takes wind out the sails because threat of hard border is gone

In short, that means the DUP won't support this deal unless they are in a position to block it from out the outset.

EU position - that isn't a backstop.

Someone has to make a concession if there is going to be a deal