Tory unease builds over the Northern Ireland protocol

Will Boris Johnson ever trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol? The Prime Minister has been under increasing pressure to do so from the right flank of his MPs – particularly in the wake of partygate. Conservative MPs have been going into No. 10 with a list of demands in return for their continuing support. However, the situation in Ukraine has moved the dial for many in government. 

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has reportedly backed a delay in triggering Article 16 and instead wants to help Northern Irish businesses with an ‘economic stimulus’ package, including tax cuts. There was exasperation last night when the government brought forward plans to change Brexit customs regulations to reference Great Britain instead of the United Kingdom – thereby in theory excluding Northern Ireland. But the change was quickly pulled by the Whips’ Office after there was kickback from Tory MPs.