Brexit deal shakes Northern Irish unionists

In the staunchly pro-British Shankill area of Belfast, Northern Irish unionists worry that the new Brexit deal threatens to loosen ties with mainland Britain that are the cornerstone of their identity.

In this stronghold of unionism, UK flags flutter over the streets and murals commemorate loyalist paramilitaries who died for the cause.

The site of gun battles and bombings, the west Belfast neighbourhood has spilt blood to preserve its links with the mainland.

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) supports Brexit and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government -- but bitterly opposes his EU divorce deal.

Johnson's plans would see the province stay aligned with the European Union in areas such as food standards and sales tax rules -- to smooth the flow of goods across the currently invisible border with EU member the Republic of Ireland.

The DUP fears they would effectively create a new border with mainland Britain down the Irish Sea, and lock Northern Ireland in ...