Frost Hopes For NI Protocol Deal By Christmas

Shona Murray at Euronews tweets comments from UK Cabinet Office minister Lord Frost's interview on BBC Radio Ulster regarding the Northern Ireland protocol: "Says EU should "step back" from retaliating if UK triggers Article16. Says it wouldn't be helpful if EU were to retaliate. [...] 'We've proposed a compromise of no checks between GB and NI for goods staying in NI but police goods in Irish Sea going on to Ireland. [...]. Goods staying in NI "can be policed by us" says David Frost. 'We don't see any need for infrastructure on island of Ireland".

• Echoing the political situation at end-2019, Frost says that he hopes for a deal to be reached by Chiristmas.
• Frost's hope for the EU not to retaliate if the UK invokes Art.16 seems far-fetched, given EU and member state anger at even the mention of invoking Art.16, let alone going ahead and doing it.