EU Warns Of End To Free Trade Deal If Truss Pushes Protocol Changes

The European Commission raised the spectre of an economically damaging trade war with the UK yesterday, pledging to respond with "all measures at its disposal” if Liz Truss pressed ahead with a plan to rewrite the Northern Ireland protocol.

- Heather Stewart, Jennifer Rankin, Lisa O'Carroll

The British foreign secretary yesterday set out plans to table a bill that would make key changes to the protocol, including waiving all checks on goods flowing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland where they were not destined for the Republic of Ireland.

She said the UK government hoped to agree on the changes it believed were necessary. She said these were "comprehensive and reasonable”, adding: “Our preference is to reach a negotiated outcome with the EU. We have worked tirelessly to that end and will continue to do so."

She claimed the protocol in its current form jeopardised the stability of the Good Friday agreement, which she said was "under strain". The government would act unilaterally if necessary. “To respond to the very grave and serious situation in Northern Ireland we are clear that there is a necessity to act to ensure the institutions can be restored as soon as possible,” she said.

Part of the government's motivation is to placate the DUP, which is refusing to enter a power-sharing government with Sinn Fein at Stormont unless the protocol is altered.