NI Protocol Talks To Resume This Week, First Time Under Truss Gov't

The EU has confirmed that technical discussions between the EU and UK on the Northern Ireland protocol will resume 'this week', with officials holding 'technical-level talks, discussions, exchanges,' according to Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie.

• The talks will be the first to take place between the EU and UK since Liz Truss became prime minister at the start of September.
• Earlier today, UK Northern Ireland minister of state Steve Baker apologised for the conduct of himself and other UK politicians towards Ireland during the Brexit talks, saying that he "always behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests".
• There remains the prospect of a major falling out between UK and EU over the Norther Ireland protocol bill still going through parliament. If UK unilaterally disapplies protocol EU could pull the FTA with the UK. In terms of timing the bill is in the Lords at present, but could take months to get through given significant prospect of numerous amendments (gov't does not hold majority in the upper chamber).