As tensions between the UK and EU remain high, one trade expert has revealed Northern Ireland’s position within the UK customs territory. Due to this, Shankar Singham, CEO of Competere called for a different approach from the two sides. He said: “As Kill Ruter noted previously, the real issue here is that NI is in the UK customs territory on a de jure basis so the boundary cannot be operated exactly like a border. 

“There has to be a real difference in approach for not at risk versus at risk.”

This comes as Brexit minister, Lord David Frost called on the EU to change its approach to Northern Ireland due to the problems of operating the protocol. 

Boris Johnson has admitted to three major flaws in his Brexit deal with the European Union, and conceded it was a huge mistake to enable Brussels to determine the future trading status of Northern Ireland.

Boris Johnson made the admissions whilst being grilled by the Commons Liaison Committee, outlining several difficulties faced by people in Northern Ireland since is Brexit deal came into force.

He told MPs: “You’ve got a very difficult situation in which vital drugs have not been able to be moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. 30 drugs including cancer drugs.

“I think about 200 companies have stopped shipping stuff. There have been impediments to the movement of guide dogs, of parcels, of potted plants, of tractor parts.

“And I think I’m right in saying that Asda doesn’t actually have Asda shops in the Republic of Ireland, yet as the goods that are coming into Northern Ireland have all to be checked.”

Mr Johnson described Jewish people leaving the region because they were struggling to source kosher food as an “exodus” – a word that comes from the second book of the Old Testament and Torah where Israelites escaped from centuries of slavery in Egypt.

He said: “Only yesterday there were very serious representations from the Jewish community in Northern Ireland who pointed out that because of the problem with the food sector it was becoming difficult for them to have timely access or any access to kosher food.

“And they’re talking about an exodus from Northern Ireland by the Jewish community.

“Now clearly we’d do everything we can to avoid that, and to sort it out, but it’s going to take our friends in the Joint Committee to make some movement.”

Mr Johnson launched a furious attack against the EU by claiming Brussels is implementing the Protocol n a “grossly disproportionate and unnecessary” manner.

The Prime Minister added the UK had agreed to checks on goods moving from Great Britain out of “neighbourliness” in an effort to ensure there was no return of a hard border with the Republic.

But in a major admission, he said: “We also agreed unfortunately that the EU could have a say in how this was done.

“I think what we all need to do is work rapidly on some solutions, fix this thing fast.

“I think it will take some effort but we really can’t exclude any actions that the UK Government may need to take to protect what it says in the Protocol.”

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11.50pm update: Gibraltar and UK hit back after von der Leyen hints Brexit treaty will favour EU

Gibraltar will not be afraid to “take on” the EU to achieve the best Brexit treaty possible, the Rock’s Chief Minister has said.

The British Overseas Territory is not covered by the UK’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement and separate negotiations with the EU are set to take place to agree a post-Brexit treaty. 

London, Gibraltar and Madrid wanted talks for the cooperation treaty could be concluded by the end of June.

However, the timeline was delayed as the European Commission was yet to conclude seeking a mandate from the European Council.

In a sign that upcoming negotiations with the bloc may be tough, Fabian Picardo warned once the mandate is presented, it could contain aspects not to the Rock’s liking as well as the UK.

10.30pm update: Brexit horror as EU demands UK pay eye-watering £40BN bill – bombshell report

Brexit Britain is set to pay a staggering £40billion to the European Union as part of the divorce settlement, it has been revealed.

The figures have been devised under the EU’s consolidated budget report for 2020, it has been reported.

In a blow to Boris Johnson, the divorce settlement is higher than what was predicted by the UK in 2017. In December 2017, the UK predicted it would pay between £35-39billion to the EU. 

As reported by RTE’s Tony Connelly, the payment will be broken down into two amounts. 

Under article 140 of the withdrawal agreement, the UK is legally obliged to pay its share of the EU’s outstanding payments as of December 31 – before the end of the transition. 

Isabella Marsans is taking over from Bill McLoughlin.

9.34pm update: EU unravels as devastating new poll shows majority of Europe turning against Brussels bloc

A leading EU figure appeared rattled after he was confronted with new polling that showed a majority of voters across the European Union thought the bloc was in “serious trouble”.

DW’s Tim Sebastian confronted senior MEP Urmas Paet over the future of the European Union during a tense grilling on the German broadcaster.

The Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee appeared rattled after Mr Sebastian pointed to devastating polling about the future of the bloc.

Mr Sebastian asked Mr Paet: “Is it any wonder then that so many in Europe feel the European project is in serious trouble?”

He cited “new polling and research from the European Council on Foreign Relations” that showed majorities in the biggest EU member-states were turning away from the bloc.

7.42pm update: Boris Johnson has “betrayed” Northern Ireland – Sir Keir Starmer 

The Prime Minister has been accused of “betraying” the people of Northern Ireland by the Labour leader. 

Speaking today, Sir Keir said: “He is now pretending it is someone else’s problem, and in Northern Ireland that won’t wash

“There has to be a practical way forward on this, I think there is a practical way forward if the parties are flexible and negotiate, but the most important thing is trust.

“There is a positive future here but it does require the British Government to properly understand its role, and I think that this Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has betrayed the people of Northern Ireland by not properly honouring that the UK Government being an honest broker, and the words that have been used in pretty well every meeting I have had here in Northern Ireland is a lack of trust in the Prime Minister as an honest broker.”

“That is a massive missing piece.”

7.05pm update: Cough up, Boris! Brexit Britain ordered to pay eye-watering £40bn

Brexit Britain is set to pay a staggering £40billion to the European Union as part of the divorce settlement, it has been revealed.

The figures have been devised under the EU’s consolidated budget report for 2020, it has been reported.

In a blow to Boris Johnson, the divorce settlement is higher than what was predicted by the UK in 2017.

As reported by RTE’s Tony Connelly, the payment will broken down into two amounts.

Under article 140 of the withdrawal agreement, the UK is legally obliged to pay its share of the EU’s outstanding payments as of December 31 – before the end of the transition.

This concerns programmes, projects and contracts already agreed before the December 31 deadline, he reports.

A second amount concerns the EU’s liabilities such as pensions under article 143.

6.45pm update: SNP MP’s Brexit quip after England match as he brands Sterling a diver

Scottish MP Angus MacNeil has stirred up anger on social media after branding England winger Raheem Sterling a diver in a quip which referenced the 2016 Brexit referendum.

The SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar covering the Outer Hebrides took to Twitter after the Three Lions bagged their place in Sunday’s final with a 2-1 victory over Denmark.

The win was sealed in extra time by skipper Harry Kane, who swept home the rebound after Kasper Schmeichel saved his spot-kick.

But sceptics suggested Manchester City’s Sterling went down too easily under the challenge of two Danish players.

5.43pm update: Real issue to Brexit revealed 

Trade expert and CEO of Competere, Shanker Singham claimed the issues surrounding Brexit is Northern Ireland’s place in the UK customs territory and EU single market. 

He said: “As Jill Rutter noted previously, the real issue here is that NI is in the UK customs territory on a de jure basis so the boundary cannot be operated exactly like a border.

“There has to be a real difference in approach for not at risk versus at risk.”

This warning comes as Lord David Frost called on the EU to change its approach to Northern Ireland this morning. 

4.42pm update: More from Lord Frost today 

Speaking this morning at the event held by Policy Exchange, Lord Frost rejected any accusation the UK is attempting to stir relations. 

He said: “We don’t accept any suggestion we’re attempting to create tensions, everything we’re doing is to behave in a responsible fashion.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis also said the protocol is impacting the whole community and can only work if the community accepts it. 

3.56pm update: Relations with EU will NEVER recover if bloc refuses to back down – Frost berates Brussels

Lord Frost has warned UK-EU relations will never recover if Brussels maintains its “ideological” approach to Brexit rules in Northern Ireland.

The Brexit minister insisted eurocrats must drop their demand for Britain to align to the bloc’s rules and consider more pragmatic solutions before the tensions can be ironed out.

He said resolving the row over the Northern Ireland Protocol was fundamental for getting the relationship back on track. European Commission officials want Downing Street to adopt their animal and food safety rules as the price for slashing red tape in the region.

3.10pm update: Brexit hatrick! Liz Truss secures TRIPLE trade agreement – major UK victory

Liz Truss has signed off on a new trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein which will boost critical British sectors like digital, slash tariffs on high-quality British food and farm products and supports jobs in every corner of the country.

After agreement in principle last month, the United Kingdom has moved quickly to sign the free trade deal, locking in tariff-free trade and securing greater access for United Kingdom firms.

Bill McLoughlin takes over from Paul Withers. 

1.30pm update: Brexit Britain’s battery-making future! UK’s 1st gigaplant to create 5k jobs in ‘huge win’

More than 5,000 new jobs are promised for Brexit Britain at the country’s first battery gigafactory in Northumberland after it was given the go-ahead.

Britishvolt’s plant will be built on a 95-hectare site and will focus on making batteries for electric cars.

The site is expected to be operational by 2023 and fully built three years later.

The approved planning permission is a “huge win, not only for Britishvolt, but also the people of Northumberland’,” said Britishvolt chairman Peter Rolton.

The firm is set to create 3,000 jobs at the factory and more than 5,000 in the associated supply chains.

Approving the plans, Northumberland County Council described the factory as a “game changer”.

12pm update: They’re walking all over us! Irish ex-diplomat admits EU bullying Dublin – fish plundered

Ireland has “zero chance” of winning concessions from the EU in respect of fishing quotas, a former diplomat has warned.

Ray Bassett claimed the bloc remains a “cold house” for his country – and fears foreign fleets will continue to “plunder” Irish waters for the foreseeable future, consequently imperilling its fishing industry.

Mr Bassett, Ireland’s ex-ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and the Bahamas, was commenting after Charlie McConalogue, Ireland’s Minister for the Marine, spoke with EU counterparts at a meeting of the EU Fisheries Council.

Mr McConalogue voiced his concerns over Ireland’s allocation of fish caught in its own waters in accordance with the bloc’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Since Brexit, many French and Spanish boats which previously operated in UK waters are instead focusing on Irish ones.

To compound matters, Ireland’s quota in UK waters has been reduced by 15 percent.

11.20am update: UK’s plans to resolve Protocol issues will be detailed in next two weeks – Frost

Brexit Minister Lord Frost said the Government will set out its proposals to MPs before the House of Commons rises for the summer recess on July 22.

He said: “We are confident given everything that we’ve been through the last few years that there are ways of finding a new balance and finding the necessary adjustments.

“But obviously all options remain on the table for us.

“We’re considering our next steps, we’re discussing with all those with an interest and I can say today that we will set out our approach to Parliament in a considered way on these questions before the summer recess.”

11.10am update: Lord Frost insists UK will not align with EU to solve Northern Ireland trade issues

The Brexit minister has said Britain not adopt EU law on agri-foods to solve difficulties with post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland.

Earlier this week, Brussels urged the UK to consider a Swiss-style veterinary agreement with the bloc on agri-foods to end a row over some goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland.

But Lord Frost told think tank the Policy Exchange: “Obviously aligning with, or adopting, the EU’s agri-food legislation is not going to be a solution.

“We are sometimes accused of being ideological for not accepting that, but actually the ideological thing is to say the only solution to these problems is that we should adopt EU law, and that is simply a non-starter.”

10am update: EU contempt as insider recalls pure ‘hatred’ towards UK in Brussels: ‘It was terrible’

The EU started showing “pure hatred” towards Britain after the referendum, a Swedish MEP has recalled in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.

In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Swedish MEP Peter Lundgren recalled the “pure hatred” europhiles were showing towards Britain after the referendum.

He said: “[The Leave result] was a shock for the EU – they never expected it would happen because they put in so much effort in convincing the British people to stay.

“And after that initial shock, it turned into pure hatred pretty much.

“I was sitting in the chamber in the first meeting after the referendum, the hate those people were showing against the British was just terrible.

“It was pretty much bullying.”

9am update: EU plot to take British citizens is ‘severe threat’ – Boris Johnson warned ‘It’s serious’

Boris Johnson has been warned the UK is “losing” British nationals to Europe as they take up citizenship in European countries.

Tory MP Bernard Jenkin explained the UK used to export talent across the European Union and is now “severely threatened”.

He questioned Boris Johnson if he was able to speak to German Chancellor Angela Merkel about visas for musicians and artists in Europe.

Speaking to the Liaison Committee, Mr Jenkin said: “I think I would have liked the chance to ask Chancellor Merkel who wants to stop cultural exchange which is one of the objectives of her visit.

“The answer is the European Commission.

“We would not stop visiting artists coming to our own country but we are losing people from London permanently.

“They are going to take residence in other European countries with European citizenship because they can’t pursue their careers by staying in London.”

8.10am update: ‘Screwed!’ Barnier taunts Boris over Brexit – and warns UK: ‘You’re on your own’

Michel Barnier has taunted Boris Johnson by claiming the UK quit the EU without “understanding the consequences” – and warned him: “You’re on your own”.

The bloc’s former chief Brexit negotiator accused Britain of “putting up barriers”, while appearing to suggest it would be “screwed” outside the single market.

Mr Barnier, who is widely tipped to be considering a tilt at the French Presidency next year, made his controversial remarks during an appearance on Figaro Live yesterday during which he discussed the implications of Britain leaving the EU.

Asked about the possibility of the UK’s economy collapsing after Brexit, Mr Barnier said: “I don’t want that and I don’t think it will happen because it’s a great nation.

“But they left the single market, without having fully understood all the consequences, so they created barriers.

“Instead of eliminating barriers, they created them.

“Now they are out and all goods coming from the UK have to be checked to protect European consumers and businesses.”

7.50am update: Starmer demands Boris take personal responsibility for making Protocol work

The Labour Party leader has accused the Prime Minister of putting “his own narrow interests” above those of the people of Northern Ireland.

He said the Prime Minister’s “reckless and foolish” approach to the Good Friday Agreement was a risk to the peace process.

Writing in The Times ahead of a planned visit to Northern Ireland today, Sir Keir said: “I am sad to say that, after nearly three decades of slow but steady progress, we now have a Prime Minister who has put his own narrow interest above those of the people of Northern Ireland.

“We have a Prime Minister who has refused to take responsibility for his decisions, who is risking through his dishonesty, the stability of the peace process.”

“The Prime Minister personally negotiated the Northern Ireland Protocol and he has a personal responsibility to make it work.”