Sunak hails ‘decisive breakthrough’ on post-Brexit rules for North – The Irish Times

* British prime minister Rishi Sunak limbers up for a protocol showdown with Tory Eurosceptics, read London Correspondent Mark Paul’s analysis here

* What is the deal that might be reached on the Northern Ireland protocol? Read Simon Carswell’s explainer here

* Donaldson’s best tactic is to sell the protocol arrangement unapologetically, read Stephen Collins’ take on the DUP’s next move here

Sunak hails ‘decisive breakthrough’ on post-Brexit rules for Northern Ireland

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has said his “decisive breakthrough” on post-Brexit rules for Northern Ireland will remove trade barriers in the Irish Sea as he seeks the backing of unionists and Tory Eurosceptics.

The prime minister said the controversially-named “Windsor framework” finalised with the European Union on Monday would deliver smooth flowing trade and “safeguards sovereignty”.

Mr Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen agreed the long-awaited deal over the Northern Ireland protocol after a meeting in Windsor lasting under two hours.

The EU chief will go on to have tea with King Charles at Windsor Castle despite criticism that the meeting would drag the monarch into the politically contentious deal.

At a press conference in Windsor Guildhall, Mr Sunak said: “I’m pleased to report that we have now made a decisive breakthrough.

“Together we have changed the original protocol and are today announcing the new Windsor framework.

“Today’s agreement delivers smooth-flowing trade within the whole United Kingdom, protects Northern Ireland’s place in our union and safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland.”

Pound surges after UK and EU agree Northern Ireland protocol deal

The pound has jumped higher after Britain and the European Union 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 per cent higher to $1.20 and was 0.3 per cent up at €1.14 after a Government source said British 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 per cent or 50.7 points higher at 7,929.4 in afternoon trading on Monday.

The deal is set to finalise Brexit more than six years after the 2016 referendum, and to resolve the trading issues created by the Northern Ireland protocol.

But there are lingering concerns over the challenge ahead for Mr Sunak, who still has to win the approval of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to ensure powersharing can be restored in Northern Ireland, and amid pressure on the prime minister to give MPs a Commons vote.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Dawn may be about to break on a new era of calmer relations between the UK and the European Union, but hopes still aren’t racing away that it will herald a significant post-Brexit boost for the economy.

“This new consensual approach should help for other thorny political problems such as migration, but in itself it’s unlikely to move the dial much for a big uplift to UK trade immediately.

“There are some lingering concerns about opposition in parliament, which would have to ratify the deal, but the power of the Conservative rebels has been weakened.”

Walid Koudmani, chief market analyst at XTB, said the EU-UK deal regarding Northern Ireland will end a lengthy period of uncertainty.

But he added that the pound is likely to see heightened volatility until any deal is finally given the all-clear by the DUP and Tory Eurosceptics.

“Any further roadblocks in the process could prove to be quite counterproductive for the moods of investors and could lead to a pullback from current levels which have already acted as a resistance in the past,” he said.

EU and UK agree post-Brexit deal Northern Ireland protocol

British prime minister Rishi Sunak has signed a breakthrough deal with the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland and will now seek to win the backing of unionists and Tory Eurosceptics.

Mr Sunak and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen finalised the long-awaited agreement to ease the trading issues created by the Northern Ireland protocol during a summit at Windsor on Monday, a senior Government source told the PA news agency.

“An agreement has been reached. The deal is done,” they said.

The European Commission president will go on to have tea with King Charles at Windsor Castle despite criticisms that the meeting would drag the king into the politically contentious deal.

Mr Sunak hopes the deal will win the approval of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) so powersharing can be restored in Northern Ireland to get Stormont back up and running.

DUP support would also be key in convincing Conservative Brexiteers to back the deal as pressure mounted on Mr Sunak to give MPs a Commons vote.

Deal agreed between the UK and EU

British prime minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have struck a deal over the Northern Ireland Protocol, a senior Government source has said.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson says ‘we need to take time to look at the deal’

Freya McClements, Northern Editor, reports

The DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has rejected a suggestion in the Irish News that the DUP is expected to accept the deal on the Northern Ireland protocol, which is being finalised on Monday.

It quoted a “source with knowledge of the DUP’s thinking” and said a “dinner has been pencilled in for this evening in London with party supporters” with the MP Sammy Wilson to explain the DUP’s position.

In a social media post on Monday afternoon, Mr Donaldson said “anonymous sources strike again” and the party would “take our time to consider the detail and measure a deal against our seven tests.”

He added: “PS – a busy day and no dinner planned either – story entirely fictional.”

Speaking to the BBC earlier, Mr Donaldson said he had not seen the legal text of any deal but once he had “we’ll come to a view on that.”

Asked if he felt positive, he replied “I’m neither positive nor negative, I think we need to take time to look at the deal, what’s available and how does that match our seven tests” and the timescale would be determined by “how long it takes.”

Northern Ireland protocol: ‘Genuine attempt’ to resolve issues raised by unionists, Micheál Martin says

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said there has been “a genuine attempt” to resolve issues with the protocol raised by unionists and that the looming possible deal represents a chance to reset British-Irish relations.

“All of those issues that have been raised, I think people will find a genuine attempt at a response to those issues,” he told RTÉ News at One.

“I respect that this is a matter that the DUP would have to consider within its party.

“I would say that, genuinely, the European Union has listened to the concerns that have been articulated consistently by the DUP, the UUP and others in Northern Ireland in respect of the operation of the protocol.”

Mr Martin added: “It’s fair to say that the Brexit situation, the protocol, all of those issues, have created challenges for the British-Irish relationship over the last three years and I think the resolution of these issues will give an opportunity to really reset the British-Irish relationship into the future.

“So, it’s very, very important for us that the EU-UK relationship is normalised and – to use president von der Leyen’s words – that the UK is seen as a partner and a friend, and not a source of ongoing friction between the EU and the United Kingdom.”— PA

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen greeted by Britain’s prime minister in Windsor Park

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has arrived at the Fairmont Hotel in Windsor Park, Berkshire, for talks on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.

She arrived in an entourage of four cars.

Britain’s prime minister Rishi Sunak greeted Ms von der Leyen as she stepped out of her car.

The pair spoke briefly before walking towards the hotel entrance, pausing to speak again just before heading inside.

After the talks, Ms von der Leyen will go on to meet the King.

Mr Sunak to make statement in UK parliament on Northern Ireland at 6.30pm. — PA

Downing Street defends decision for Britain’s King Charles to meet EU chief Ursula von der Leyen

Britain’s King Charles will host EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle despite warnings that the meeting will drag the monarchy into the political announcement on a new Brexit deal.

Downing Street has defended the decision to advise the king to meet Ms von der Leyen as the UK and the EU seal a new Brexit deal on Northern Ireland.

The British prime minister’s official spokesman said Rishi Sunak believes “fundamentally” the decision was for Buckingham Palace.

“He firmly believes it’s for the King to make those decisions,” the official said.

“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.”

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

There were fears the king, who as head of state must remain politically neutral, might be drawn into the process of the UK and EU agreeing the new deal or be seen as tacitly endorsing it.

Conservatives were among those voicing their criticism of the meeting before it was even confirmed, following suggestions the deal would be called the “Windsor Agreement”.

Sammy Wilson, the chief whip of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which Mr Sunak wants to secure the support of, said the expected meeting risked “dragging the king into a hugely controversial political issue”.

Leading Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said it would be a mistake for Ms von der Leyen to meet the king during her visit to the UK.

The former Cabinet minister told GB News: “I think the sovereign should only be involved when things have been completed and accepted. — PA

EU’s von der Leyen looks forward to ‘new chapter’ in relations with UK

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen arrived in today saying she was looking forward to opening a new chapter in diplomatic relations.

“I’m looking forward to turning a page and opening a new chapter with our partner and friend,” she said on Twitter.

She will meet British prime minister Rishi Sunak, seeking to finalise details of a new deal on post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland. — Reuters

Ursula von der Leyen will meet King Charles today

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will meet King Charles when she visits Britain on Monday, a Buckingham Palace source said.

The European Commission’s president is visiting Britain for final talks with Britain’s prime minister Rishi Sunak on a new deal on post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland.

“The King is pleased to meet any world leader if they are visiting Britain and it is the Government’s advice that he should do so,” a palace spokesperson said. — Reuters

UK’s labour leader questions if Sunak can sell the Northern Ireland protocol deal to Tory MPs

British labour leader Keir Starmer said the task now facing the British prime Minister was to sell the protocol deal to his own Tory MPs.

Mr Starmer said that if he was in No 10 he would “restore trust” between the UK and European Union.

With Rishi Sunak poised to announce a deal on changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol, Mr Starmer said there were practical steps “that could have been taken 18 months, two years ago, but we’ve been stuck in an impasse”.

Speaking in the City of London, he said: “The EU and the UK are probably in agreement, or very near to agreement at this stage.

“The question will be whether the prime minister has got the strength to sell it to his backbenchers or not.

“Many people will be frustrated that this is the loop we’ve been stuck in for a very, very long time and it’s not something you would have with a Labour government because we don’t have those divisions in our party on this issue.” — PA

Irish Times Public Affairs Editor Simon Carswell has written an explainer on the deal the might be reached.

MPs must have vote on Northern Ireland Brexit deal – Theresa Villiers

The former Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, has said it is “crucial parliament has a vote” on the much-anticipated deal to end the dispute with the EU over post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland.

Ms Villiers was speaking just hours before the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, was due to meet British prime minister Rishi Sunak for what No 10 has billed “final talks” over a revised Northern Ireland protocol pact.

Ms Villiers, who campaigned for Brexit while in her post in Northern Ireland, where the majority voted to remain in the EU, said she did not know how she would vote on the new deal but wanted one that would enable the return of the Democratic Unionist Party to the devolved government in Stormont.

“I want to see a deal which delivers a return to powersharing in Northern Ireland,” she told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme.

In what could be the most perilous week of his political life, the prime minister will meet von der Leyen at lunchtime on Monday.

The cabinet will meet shortly after, when Sunak, the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, and the Northern Ireland secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, will give an update on the talks.

Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen will then head to Windsor, raising speculation as to whether the European Commission chief will meet King Charles in a gesture that has already been widely criticised after plans for such an arrangement were made for Saturday and then cancelled. — Guardian

Sunak to sign Northern Ireland protocol deal with EU after months of negotiations

Pat Leahy writes: British prime minister Rishi Sunak and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will meet in the UK today to sign off a new agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol after months of negotiations.

Focus will immediately switch to the Democratic Unionist Party whose leader Jeffrey Donaldson must now decide if he should back the deal and restore the Stormont powersharing institutions. Mr Donaldson’s spokesman gave no indication last night of his intentions, but it is expected Mr Sunak will press ahead with or without the DUP’s agreement, said sources.

Mr Sunak’s task of securing the acceptance of the deal from hardline Eurosceptics in his party will be made considerably harder if the DUP oppose it, however.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he had been in touch with Ms von der Leyen and “very much” welcomed the news of a meeting.

The expectation that a deal was about to be announced grew in London yesterday after Mr Sunak and his ministers went on a media offensive over the weekend, with the prime minister telling the Sunday Times he was “giving it everything” in order to “get the job done”. In other media interventions, Mr Sunak boasted of his Brexiteer credentials and said he wanted to “finish the job” of implementing Brexit.

Sources in Dublin and Brussels said they were on standby for an agreement and confirmation came yesterday evening when Downing Street and the commission said the two leaders would meet today to seal an agreement.

It is expected Mr Sunak will seek cabinet approval in the afternoon and make a statement in the House of Commons later.

Sources with knowledge of briefings in Dublin, Brussels and London say the components of a new agreement on the protocol have been in place for some time and it remains for Mr Sunak to manage the politics in Westminster and Belfast.

That will not be an easy task. Hardliners in his own party insisted yesterday that Northern Ireland must be treated the same as any other part of the UK, something the British government has not sought and which would end the North’s dual access to the UK and EU markets. Chairman of the European Research Group of hardline Conservative MPs Mark Francois told Sky News that they wanted “a situation where EU law is expunged from Northern Ireland so it is treated on the same basis as England, Scotland and Wales.”

“We’re not stupid,” he told the broadcaster.

In response to questions from The Irish Times, a spokesman for Mr Donaldson said the “objective in London and Brussels should be to get this right rather than rushed. The wrong deal will not restore powersharing but will deepen division for future generations.”

Mr Donaldson insisted the “seven tests” his party requires to support an overhaul of the current post-Brexit trading arrangements will be “how we will judge any deal between the EU and UK”.

Among the tests, set out in July 2021, is the removal of all checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea as well as the people of Northern Ireland having a say in making the laws that govern them.

“So let’s focus on the prize of a long-lasting solution instead of a short-term fix. The protocol must be replaced by arrangements that restore NI’s place in the UK internal market and our constitutional position must be respected.”

Asked on Sunday if he believed a deal could win the support of the DUP, Tanáiste Micheál Martin replied: “I hope so.”