If not the backstop, then what? Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay is beginning three days of discussions with MPs and government officials, after the Commons voted last week to find another way of avoiding a hard Irish border after the UK leaves the EU. The backstop is described as an "insurance policy" - designed to avoid a hard border "under all circumstances". And it's proved the single biggest sticking point in getting MPs to back Theresa May's Brexit agreement with the EU. According to Downing Street, Mr Barclay's Alternative Arrangements Working Group, including Conservative Leave and former Remain MPs, meets amid "significant support" for the so-called "Malthouse Compromise". This includes extending the transition period for a year until the end of 2021 and protecting EU citizens' rights, instead of using the backstop. Home Secretary Sajid Javid says "existing technology" can be used to ensure there's no hard Irish border, but Irish PM Leo Varadkar says it's "very frustrating" that the UK government is referring to this idea. BBC Reality Check looks at what might happen. Matters are undoubtedly complex, so here's our simple guide to Brexit. AFP.