Rishi Sunak makes good progress in the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland
The UK and the European Union seem on the verge of completing a new Brexit agreement for Northern Ireland.
A No 10 source defines the talks as “positive”.
The BBC understands that King Charles had again been due to encounter the president of the European Commission in the UK on Saturday.
Numerous sources say the visit was withdrawn due to operational reasons that were loose to the political discussions.
Northern Ireland Protocol: UK and EU seem to be on the brink of a new Brexit agreement:
The planned discussion between the King and Ursula von der Leyen, initially reported by Sky News, was not part of the talks between the UK and the EU.
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But the fact a meeting was arranged is significant as it seems to indicate a Brexit deal was close to being done – and publicly delivered – while Ms von der Leyen was in the UK.
It has yet to be found when the European Commission president will directly come to the UK.
Some had suggested a new accord on the Northern Ireland Protocol – thought to be all but done – could be called the Windsor Agreement and have a moment in front of the cameras involving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ms von der Leyen.
On Friday, Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen spoke by landline, and Downing Street said the prime minister had made “good progress.”
The prime minister has been attempting to win help for changes to the controversial protocol.
