The Prime Minister discussed the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol with the outgoing German Chancellor and is said to have told her matters will “get worse before they get better”. Brussels is also thought to be exploring the possibility of activating emergency legislation to unilaterally suspend the Protocol – a last resort move the UK has also considered.

       Mujtaba Rahman, a former Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs at the European Commission and UK Treasury official, issued a stark update on Twitter.

       He wrote: “I understand Boris Johnson told Merkel in a recent call that things on the Protocol will ‘get worse before they get better’.

       “Most capitals I speak to no longer exclude the triggering of Article 16. Think that's right.”

       On Thursday evening Brexit Minister Lord David Frost warned the Protocol, created to prevent a hard border, was still having a “negative effect on everyday life and business in Northern Ireland”.

       He added: “The outstanding issues now need to be dealt with urgently. I and my team are in contact with the EU daily, but we need a full response to our July Command Paper soon.”

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