‘Get it done’: Rishi Sunak under pressure from both sides of Brexit debate on protocol

Tory moderates want a deal done now, but hardliners are urging the PM to hold off

Rishi Sunak is under pressure from a divided Tory party over the Northern Ireland protocol, with Brexiteers urging him to defy the EU and moderates asking him to sign a compromise deal.

London and Brussels are close to ending the long-running protocol row and reports suggest an agreement on easing checks and reducing the role of European judges could be announced as early as next week.

However, the prime minister is yet to sign off on a final deal and faces an uphill battle to win over the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Tory hardliners in the European Research Group (ERG).