What is going on with Brexit during the coronavirus crisis?

The government has admitted there will be border controls at Northern Ireland ports, which will come into effect whether there is a trade deal with the EU or not, writes John Rentoul

The Brexit story goes on, even though little has happened (Getty)

Because everyone’s attention has switched from one all-consuming news story to another, it is hard to keep track of what is happening to Brexit. You could be forgiven for having forgotten that Britain has left the EU, because nothing changed at the end of January, and then the coronavirus came.

However, the Brexit story goes on, even though little has happened. This week the government confirmed that there would be border controls at three ports in Northern Ireland: Belfast, Warrenpoint and Larne.

This is because the Ireland protocol of the withdrawal agreement said there would have to be checks on goods going between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, so that there could be an open border between Northern Ireland and the EU, that is, the Republic of Ireland. This applies whether or not the UK and EU agree a trade deal, and will come into effect at the end of the transition period, of which more in a moment.