Rishi Sunak presses on with NI Protocol deal despite backlash from Tories and DUP

Negotiations are ongoing to break the deadlock over the contentious post-Brexit trading arrangements

Rishi Sunak is set for his biggest political test yet as he presses to unveil a deal to fix issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol, despite pushback from Boris Johnson and unionists.

Downing Street said talks are ongoing to reach an agreement with the European Union aimed at breaking the impasse over the contentious post-Brexit trading arrangements.

No 10 denied reports suggesting the prime minister has been forced to delay an announcement – widely expected as early as this week – amid backlash from up to 100 Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).