Conservative MP Kwasi Kwarteng has told the Today programme there needs to be “some distinction” between customs union and non customs union areas but ruled out that that would mean a hard border in Northern Ireland.
Downing Street has insisted Britain will leave the EU customs union after Brexit amid claims of Tory disunity over the UK-EU future relationship.
Theresa May has faced calls to spell out what she wants from the talks ahead of the UK’s departure in March 2019.