Telegraph-Strong Pushback On EU-RoI Border Checks Story

James Crisp as The Daily Telegraph tweets:

• "Have got some strong pushback from EU sources to Politico story that EU diplomats mulling emergency plan to introduce border checks between Ireland and rest of EU if London and Brussels talks over Northern Ireland Protocol ultimately fail."
• "Unity above all. Ireland will not be dropped," said one EU diplomat. "Completely nuts," said another. An EU officials said, "Pure unadulterated bollocks". Feeling around Brussels that the story could be a kite flying exercise or a warning shot from tough member state to Ireland not to push too hard for flexibilities on Single Market rules in Northern Ireland. Interesting that this is poss more about intra EU politics than UK-EU."
• "But if story was to come to pass it would be a major moment. Would raise serious questions about the point of EU membership for smaller countries if Ireland was sold down river and expose major divisions over Brexit...one subject EU has managed to stay largely united on. Timing of the leak if designed to warn a now furious Ireland unhelpful to commission ahead of todays talks over the Protocol. Suggests EU vulnerable to divide and conquer."