Plans to build a new royal yacht to drive post-Brexit trade deals have been scrapped with immediate effect.

The government has cancelled its plans to build a Brexit trade yacht with "immediate effect", the defence secretary has announced.

So far, the MoD has spent nearly £2.5 million on staffing costs and consultancy fees related to the project.

A £250m national flagship proposed by former prime minister Boris Johnson while in office will be cancelled by the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, according to various news reports.

First Minister Arlene Foster has called on Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to act.

The government is facing fresh criticism over the Northern Ireland Protocol amid warnings it obstructs the "free movement" of the military.

Mr Johnson told his cabinet this week that leaving the EU without a deal should hold “no fear” for Britain, but was he right?

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has been slapped down by Number 10 after being filmed in an unguarded moment discussing the reasons for proroguing Parliament.