UK's May says EU is working to resolve N. Irish backstop issue

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that European Union leaders have told her they are working on resolving the issue of the so-called Northern Irish backstop to pave the way for a Brexit deal.

May is seeking changes to the backstop, an insurance policy which aims to avoid the return of a physical border on the island of Ireland, after parliament rejected her Brexit deal last month. "The discussions that I have had in the European Union... are very clear that they are entering into those talks with us with the intention of finding a resolution of the issue," May told lawmakers in parliament. (Reporting by William James, writing by Andy Bruce; editing by Kate Holton)