The Protocol is aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland - but critics within the Unionist community claim it has instead resulted in a border down the Irish Sea. European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic today promised “far-reaching” proposals addressing the problems - and Sir Jeffrey today told Radio Ulster: "We were told weeks ago that the EU were not in a position where they were ever going to reopen negotiations.

       “So I think we've breached the first wall and I think that is the result of unionists standing together and saying 'look, we cannot support this protocol, we cannot support an Irish Sea border’.

       "I think that the pressure we have brought to bear and the steps that have been taken in the last few weeks have focused minds both in London and in Brussels, and I'm pleased that we've made this level of progress.

       Despite Sir Jeffrey’s upbeat assessment, Mr Sefcovic today insisted the post-Brexit trading mechanism will not be renegotiated, warning the threat from Britain to trigger a suspension of parts of the Brexit divorce deal would not be helpful.

       During a speech to the International Institute of Economic Affairs (IIEA) on the implementation of the Protocol, he said: "A lot has been said by the UK politicians about the possibility of the UK triggering Article 16.

       “I do not think that this has been helpful. It distracts us from working together to find solutions.”

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