'Get It Done': Sunak Under Pressure From Both Sides Of Brexit Debate On Protocol

Rishi Sunak is under pressure from a divided Tory party over the Northern Ireland protocol, with Brexiteers urging him to defy the EU and moderates asking him to sign a compromise deal.

- Adam Forrest

London and Brussels are close to ending the long-running protocol row and reports suggest an agreement on easing checks and reducing the role of European judges could be announced as early as next week.

However, the prime minister is yet to sign off on a final deal and faces an uphill battle to win over the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Tory hardliners in the European Research Group (ERG). MPs in the ERG are angry at the outline of a possible deal, and want a showdown vote in the Commons on any compromise with Brussels. But Mr Sunak-backing moderates are desperate to avoid any return to divisive parliamentary battles over Brexit.

A technical agreement to ease customs and food and animal health checks is thought to be all but done, based on British proposals for a "green" lane between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

UK negotiators have reportedly conceded that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will remain the ultimate arbiter of any protocol disputes - though there will be a stronger role for Northern Irish courts.

Senior Tory MP David Jones, ERG deputy chair, told The Independent: "If this is the basis of a deal then it will not work.

We need to get rid of the protocol altogether because it's undermining the Good Friday Agreement." With the ERG's DUP allies also expected to oppose a compromise, Mr Jones added: "Any deal would be completely futile and embarrassing if it's unacceptable to the unionist community because the Northern Ireland institutions won't be restored."