Brexit deal – latest news: No 10 suggests no changes can be made to Windsor Agreement

‘We think we have secured the right deal for all parties in Northern Ireland’, says Downing Street

What is the Northern Ireland Protocol and how does it affect the UK?

There is no room for any changes to be made to the new Brexit deal, No 10 has indicated following the announcement of the “historic” agreement.

Asked if Rishi Sunak might return to Brussels to ask for any changes requested by the DUP, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “Certainly I think you heard the prime minister asked similar questions today. We think we have secured the right deal for all parties in Northern Ireland.

“We stand ready to have further talks with those parties if they have questions about how it works in practice, indeed, we did a great deal of that in the run up to this announcement.”

Mr Sunak travelled to Northern Ireland after securing a deal with the EU that he promised would be a “turning point” for the region after years of post-Brexit tensions.

The so-called Windsor Framework was earlier hailed as “historic” by the European Commission president, who insisted the deal marked a “new chapter” in UK-EU relations at a press conference with the prime minister.

Key Points

• Sunak says ‘breakthrough’ Brexit deal marks ‘new way forward'
• New deal ‘removes any sense of border in Irish Sea’, insists PM
• Agreement to create ‘green’ and ‘red’ lanes for goods entering NI
• ‘Stormont brake’ will place Northern Ireland in ‘control of their destiny’, says Sunak
• King meets von der Leyen for tea at Windsor Castle

[27 February 2023 15:06 · Matt Mathers]

Deal is an opporunity for everyone to move forward - Labour

Responding to the deal struck by Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said: "Today is an opportunity for Northern Ireland, the UK and EU to move forwards.

"Attention should be on the contents of any protocol deal. Parties and communities in Northern Ireland will need some time to assess the deal.

"Labour stands ready to act in all Northern Ireland’s interests."

[27 February 2023 14:58 · Matt Mathers]

Pound surges higher as UK and EU agree NI Brexit deal

The pound has jumped higher after Britain and the EU secured a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland in a move set to end long-running tensions following the UK’s withdrawal.

Sterling leaped 0.7% higher to 1.20 US dollars and was 0.3% up at 1.14 euros after a Government source said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had signed a breakthrough deal at a meeting in Windsor, Berkshire.

The FTSE 100 Index was also trading 0.6% or 50.7 points higher at 7929.4 in afternoon trading on Monday.

[27 February 2023 14:53 · Matt Mathers]

Dorries lashes out at Baker over support for deal

Boris Johnson ally Nadine Dorries, former culture secretary, attacked Mr Baker for “gushing about the deal, Adam Forrest reports.

She said: “He was a key agitator to remove Boris Johnson. What shred of credibility he has left would be destroyed if he came out against Sunak.

“He has nowhere else to go other than to grin and support”.

[27 February 2023 14:51 · Matt Mathers]

Northern Ireland Protocol: Being on good terms with the EU used to feel impossible – not anymore

This is a formidable technical negotiating achievement, writes the former UK Brexit secretary David Davis.

Read David’s full article here:

[27 February 2023 14:45 · Matt Mathers]

Donaldson denies report DUP will back deal

Jeffrey Donaldson has denied a report that the DUP has already committed to backing Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal.

The Irish News said the party had agreed to support an agreement to fix the protocol and would explain the decision at a dinner later.

But Mr Donaldson said the story was “entirely false”, adding that his party would “take our time” to consider the details.

“Anonymous source strike again,” he said. “We’ll take our time to consider the detail and measure a deal against our seven tests. PS - A busy day and no dinner planned either - story entirely fictional. Let’s stick to the facts @irish_news”.

[27 February 2023 14:29 · Matt Mathers]

Breaking: UK and EU agree Brexit deal - BBC

The UK and EU have agreed on a Brexit deal to deal to fix the Northern Ireland protocol.

“An agreement has been reached. The deal is done,” a senior government said.

Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen held talks on reaching an agreement earlier.

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest report.

(AP)

[27 February 2023 14:09 · Andy Gregory]

Here is the agenda for the Commons today:

Rishi Sunak is also due to make a statement to MPs about the Northern Ireland Protocol at 6:30pm.

[27 February 2023 13:37 · Andy Gregory]

Sunak welcomes von der Leyen in Windsor

Rishi Sunak has welcomed European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the Fairmont Windsor Park hotel in Englefield Green.

(Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

[27 February 2023 13:24 · Andy Gregory]

No 10 defends decision to advise King to meet with EU chief

Downing Street has defended the move to advise the King to meet Ursula von der Leyen, saying Rishi Sunak “fundamentally” believes the final decision is for the monarch to make.

“He firmly believes it’s for the King to make those decisions,” said the PM’s official spokesperson. Buckingham Palace has said Charles is acting on “the government’s advice”.

“It’s not uncommon for his majesty to accept invitations to meet certain leaders, he has met President Duda and President Zelensky recently. He is meeting with the president of the EU today,” Mr Sunak’s spokesperson said.

Asked why the final protocol talks were taking place in Windsor, he said: “There are a number of occasions when these sorts of talks have been held in significant locations, this is no different.”

[27 February 2023 13:18 · Andy Gregory]

Sunak pictured arriving for talks with von der Leyen

Rishi Sunak has been pictured arriving at the Fairmont Windsor Park hotel in Englefield Green, ahead of his meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

(Aaron Chown/PA Wire)