Katy Balls

Is Simon Case on borrowed time? That’s the talk in Whitehall today following reports that the embattled Cabinet Secretary is considering an early departure from his role. The Financial Times reports that the UK’s most senior civil servant has told friends he is ‘genuinely undecided’ between staying put ahead of the general election or stepping aside to make way for a successor. Making matters worse, this isn’t exactly Case’s first scandal There are plenty of figures who would prefer it to be the latter of the two. Case has attracted criticism both from Tory MPs and his own side over WhatsApp messages he sent to Matt Hancock during the pandemic.

Another weekend, another set of stories on the chances of a Boris Johnson return. Allies of the former prime minister are on the attack over the privileges committee's partygate inquiry following the disclosure that Sue Gray - who led the report at the time - has been hired as Keir Starmer's new chief of staff. It's still up in the air when Gray will be allowed to take on the role as Acoba - the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments - could take three months to come up with the terms for the appointment. Gray will need to disclose at what point her conversations with the Labour leader began. However, the most important development this weekend relates to a different issue: small boats.

Ahead of Rishi Sunak unveiling his revised deal on the Protocol, there was no shortage of Tory MPs – including some close allies – warning him to stay away from the issue. The thinking was that a row over Brexit would risk reopening old wounds and give Boris Johnson the chance to mount a comeback by depicting Sunak as weak on a key issue. Now this scenario could still come to pass. but a few hours after Sunak’s announcement, things are going better than many in No. 10 dared hope. Despite reports that Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker has been on resignation watch in recent days, the eurosceptic MP has come out in favour of Sunak’s, deal hailing it a huge achievement. Former Brexit secretary David Davis agrees.

A new deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol is imminent. Today, Rishi Sunak will meet with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen as the Prime Minister prepares to announce changes to the Protocol. In a joint statement between the two sides yesterday, a meeting has been confirmed: Today, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak agreed to continue their work in person towards shared, practical solutions for the range of complex challenges around the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. President von der Leyen will therefore meet with the Prime Minister in the UK tomorrow. While No.