Boris allies take aim at Rishi over Protocol

A spectre is haunting Downing Street – the spectre of Boris Johnson. The former Prime Minister has been largely content to keep his head down in recent months, quietly cashing millions on the speaking circuit and preparing his Partygate defence. But today the ex-Tory leader has chosen to send a barely-concealed warning to his successor Rishi Sunak about the Northern Irish Protocol, via the usual journalistic cover of briefings from friends and allies.

The front page of the Sunday Telegraph roars about ‘Johnson’s warning to Sunak on NI deal’ and prominently quotes ‘a source close to Mr Johnson’ as saying that: ‘His general thinking is that it would be a great mistake to drop the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.’ The legislation was drawn up under Johnson’s premiership and would allow ministers to rip up parts of the Protocol, including ending the contentious role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It is seen by Brexiteers as the most important bargaining chip with the EU but Sunak reportedly thinks it might not be necessary if a revised deal is secured.