THE government must ensure that Britain’s departure from the European Union must not come with a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Unison has said.

Delegates at the union’s annual conference voted to demand that free borders across Ireland are kept intact in order to protect the Irish peace process.

They have also voted to campaign for a bilateral British-Irish treaty that can protect the rights of British and Irish nationals and establish a common travel area across Ireland.

The motion also demanded the establishment of an independent international taskforce to monitor the continuation of the peace process.

It states that the union will lobby Labour to protect the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the treaty that ensured the negotiated peace that effectively ended the Troubles.

Derry delegate Gabrielle Carton said: “The DUP say they are working so as to avoid a border in Northern Ireland.

“But they do not mind a border for LGBT rights, for abortion rights, for workers’ rights.

“I can remember the days of army checkpoints, customs points and the searching of cars.

“I remember the violence and the fear every morning of checking what had happened during the night.

“This is not just about tariffs and trade — it is about people and peace.

“Make no mistake — the enemies of peace are waiting in the wings.

“Regardless of whether you want a general election or a second referendum, we in Northern Ireland want solidarity to protect the peace process and protect our rights.”

National executive committee member Margaret McKee said: “The Tory leadership race has brought the prospect of a no-deal Brexit closer.

“All candidates agree that this would mean a clean Brexit but for Northern Ireland there is no such thing.

“If the UK leaves on November 1 with no deal the Northern Irish economy will suffer immediately.

“But this has never been just about the economy. It is about the peace process, and the difficult politics of identity that exist in Northern Ireland.

“The Tories may want to forget about our peace process — but we won’t let them.”

“The backstop will ensure that Ireland and its whole economy will be protected.”