Brexit: Why the Irish backstop matters - BBC Newsnight

A key part of the Brexit negotiations has been the border that separates Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Subscribe to our channel here: https://goo.gl/31Q53F The border is a matter of great political, security and diplomatic sensitivity in Ireland. Therefore the UK and EU agreed that whatever happens as a result of Brexit there should be no new physical checks or infrastructure at the frontier. This is where the controversial "backstop" comes in. Jonathan Powell, former chief British negotiator in Northern Ireland and one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, explains the backstop. Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews. Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight Twitter:   / bbcnewsnight   Facebook:   / bbcnewsnight