A House of Lords committee warned the region could become a "permanent casualty" of Brexit unless a compromise to the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol is found urgently. The committee, set up to examine the controversial post-Brexit trading arrangements for the Irish Sea, has published an introductory report on arrangements that have created economic barriers, with the findings unanimously agreed. Seven key findings and recommendations were made, the first of which warned trade between Britain and Northern Ireland has been "significantly disrupted" by protocol red tape and there is a real risk some UK businesses may withdraw from the Northern Ireland market.

       The protocol provision for dual access for Northern Ireland business to sell unfettered within the UK market and EU single market still offers potential economic opportunities, but they would take time to materialise and would depend on political stability and certainty.

       Business representatives have already identified a wide range of solutions to ease the bureaucratic burden, while steps are needed to ensure the views in Northern Ireland are better reflected at the UK and EU level.

       One of the key steps would be an agreement between London and Brussels on veterinary standards, with the committee noting the fallout over how the UK might align its rules to the bloc under such an arrangement but has urged both sides to come to some sort of an agreement.

       Finally, the committee warned alternatives to trade elements of the Protocol must be considered, particularly as in 2024, the Stormont Assembly will vote on whether to scrap those arrangements.

       Lord Jay of Ewelme, who chairs the committee on the protocol, warned there is an urgent need from both sides to compromise over the post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland.

       He said: "That won't be easy, but it is an absolute necessity that the UK and the EU should now work together urgently to identify solutions if Northern Ireland is not to become a permanent casualty of the Brexit process,"

       "The tensions over the protocol currently seem insoluble. Yet that was also true of the political situation during the Troubles.

       "But the peace process ultimately took root and flourished, through a process of time, patience, dialogue, and most of all trust.

       "Those same qualities are now needed to address the problems that Brexit and the protocol present."

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       8.17am update: Same old EU! Frost praised for destroying bloc in crunch Brexit talks -Brussels in tatters

       Britain has permanently damaged the EU's reputation as a tough negotiator after repeatedly crumbling to Lord Frost's demands, Brexiteers have said.

       Tory MPs praised the Brexit minister for breaking through the EU's stubbornness in negotiations and forcing them to compromise on their red lines. Influential backbenchers and former ministers gave credit to Lord Frost after once again getting the EU to commit to getting around the negotiating table.

       Last week the UK unveiled its proposals to make changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol following a number of clash points in UK-EU relations over the Brexit mechanism.

       Among the requests were a "standstill" in the legal action being taken by the European Commission against the UK for claims of infringements of the Protocol.

       The European Commission appeared to immediately reject the proposals before yesterday offering a more conciliatory response.

       Following the latest U-turn from Brussels, Tory MPs praised Lord Frost for finding holes in the EU's negotiating strategy, undermining their image for being hard to break down.

       "They said they would never re-open the withdrawal agreement, they did; they said they would never re-open the Brexit deal, they did; and they're doing it again," North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen told Express.co.uk.

       "Lord Frost has done an excellent job for us in negotiating with a difficult, extremely bitter former partner, and he's got a strategy that is proven to get the best deal for the UK and it's holding our ground."

       7.54am update: 'I think that's a real worry' - Chair of Protocol committee warns solution must be found

       Lord Jay of Ewelme told the PA news agency: "If there is no resolution, if it just festers, it seems to me it will become a constant irritant in the relationship between the EU and the UK and it will become an irritant within the island of Ireland, between north and south.

       "I cannot see that that is in the interest of either community or any of the communities in Northern Ireland nor of business people in Northern Ireland nor of the economy of Northern Ireland and that's what worries me, that's why I really do think it is important to reach an agreement here.

       "This is not something in my view that can just be allowed or should just be allowed to fester. I think that's a real worry."

       7.35am update: Northern Ireland could become 'permanent casualty' of Brexit if Protocol row continues

       A House of Lords committee established to look at the post-Brexit arrangements for the Irish Sea has warned the Protocol risks becoming a constant irritant in future EU/UK relations unless both sides change their "fundamentally flawed" approaches to resolving the dispute

       The committee has published an introductory report on the arrangements, expressed concerns the approaches adopted by the UK and EU are hampering efforts to find solutions.

       They said the UK approach has been characterised by a "lack of clarity, transparency and readiness" while the EU had demonstrated a "lack of balance, understanding and flexibility".

       The committee added the EU doubts whether the UK is acting in good faith, while London believes Brussels is adopting a disproportionate approach to the implementation of the protocol.

       The report concluded this has led to a "serious deterioration" in relations between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the EU.