WESTMINSTER "threats" to suspend Northern Ireland border rules are "not helpful" when the problems are down to Brexit, a leading Irish politician has said.

The EU's Brexit negotiator has told a seminar in Dublin that there will be no renegotiation of the Northern Ireland Protocol and that the EU will not accept any solution that will cut the region off from the benefits of the single market.

Britain and the EU appear on the brink of a trade war after Brussels accused Boris Johnson of lacking sincerity in negotiations over Northern Ireland’s future. After the latest talks, the EU commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said that despite Brussels’ attempts to find a compromise, 'we have seen no move at all from the UK side'.

In the 31 days since Brexit was signed, sealed and delivered we’ve seen no end of complaints and ‘red-tape’ measures imposed upon traders and customers who deal with Europe, which hasn’t been helped by the coronavirus pandemic.

Tory minister David Frost proposes plans for an entirely new Northern Ireland Protocol – "trashing" a deal he once triumphed.

Anyone in the EU who has endured Boris Johnson’s serial dishonesty would need a heart of stone not to gloat at his current difficulties. A prime minister who signed an international treaty thinking he could break it when it suited him was never likely to be a very effective enforcer of coronavirus restrictions with his team in 10 Downing Street.

“Senior EU officials in Brussels ... believe escalation in the form of a trade war — probably early in the new year — is now almost unavoidable,” Eurasia analysts have said.

Article 16 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland seems to be fated to become one of those legal provisions known by their number alone, like Article 50 or Section 28.

Unionists feel worst ‘sense of hurt’ for 35 years, Loyalist Communities Council tells MPs.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has claimed anti-Northern Ireland Protocol rallies are stoking tensions and his party can no longer support them.

There is growing speculation the PM could soon trigger Article 16 as ongoing talks between the EU and UK continue to fail to resolve problems such as the "sausage war". But Boris Johnson is being given fresh warnings about the impact of such action.

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described the tactics of the United Kingdom’s Brexit negotiating team as “deplorable”.

Prime minister personifies British hostility to international democratic norms.

A series of demonstrations will be held along the Border next week telling UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "back off" on plans to trigger Article 16.

Former prime minister Sir John said the move would damage relations with the European Union and United States and could further destabilise Northern Ireland.

Senior Government sources warned a key part of the Brexit agreement - which Boris Johnson signed with Brussels - relating to Northern Ireland is 'dead in the water'.

Frans Timmermans said it was ‘extremely well-known in London’ that UK demand could not be met.

From the same people who brought you the 'watertight' plan to rescue Owen Paterson, their latest proposal will reignite the Brexit debate.

Dominic Cummings, the mastermind behind the 2016 U.K. vote to leave the European Union, said it would be a “disaster” if Prime Minister Boris Johnson suspended parts of the Brexit deal over trade in Northern Ireland.

The UK has abandoned its attempt to strip EU judges of the power to oversee the Northern Ireland Protocol, in another Brexit climbdown.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that the Cabinet’s Brexit sub-committee met on Monday to “essentially dust down and restart contingency preparations” in case a trade war develops with the UK.

The UK’s move to tear up rules over Northern Ireland is ‘dangerous’ and could put the peace process at risk, US lawmakers warned.

UK government set to pitch extension of ‘grace periods’ rather than triggering Article 16.

One thing that hasn’t? Brexit, Britain’s exit from the European Union, is still a hot mess. / The latest chapter in the saga has the British government threatening to go “nuclear” and invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol—not good for already tense U.K.-E.U. relations.

Ex-PM joins fellow former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith in raising concerns over the potential break-up of the United Kingdom.

No matter that they negotiated and signed up to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) less than a year ago, it is increasingly clear that they did so with little or no intention to honour what they agreed with the EU.

Lord Frost said the deal that he negotiated had "begun to come apart even more quickly than we feared"

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that the Cabinet’s Brexit subcommittee met on Monday to “essentially dust down and restart contingency preparations” in case a trade war develops with the UK.

Brussels has warned the UK government that its Brexit trade deal is "intrinsically linked" to enforcing the Northern Ireland border protocol.

The move would plunge the UK into a no-deal Brexit.

Business chiefs and economists say huge disruption lies ahead if Downing Street triggers Article 16.

It is difficult to make sense of what Johnson’s Brexit government is doing, or trying to do, as regards the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP). I discussed the background in last week’s post, much of which remains relevant, but since then there have been daily, almost hourly, contradictory signals and reports.

Brexit may have been a reality for more than a year, with most opposition politicians reluctant to talk about it anymore, but that does not mean that it has broad public acceptance in the UK.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said evidence suggests the British government is preparing to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, as he warned that doing so could lead to a trade dispute between the European Union and the UK.

There are a ‘lack of things to talk about‘, ex-negotiator argues – one day after collapse in trading links revealed.

Wrong to ‘conflate’ issues, Boris Johnson’s spokesman insists – after US official said talks were on hold because of Article 16 fears.

Downing Street said late last night the UK government is prepared to consider tearing up elements of Northern Ireland’s Brexit deal, despite a Cabinet minister insisting the option would not be used before Christmas.

Party leadership urges Boris Johnson to trigger Article 16.

MPs told of how Brexit bureaucracy leaves lorries stranded for hours without right paperwork.

European Union governments agreed on the need for "robust" action against Britain if London follows through on its threat to escalate a post-Brexit trade dispute, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.

The European Union is awaiting a firm counterproposal from the United Kingdom to ease a standoff over how to deal with Britain’s departure from the bloc.

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister criticised the UK Government’s approach to negotiations on the Irish Sea trade arrangements.

Move comes as London hints at using clause to suspend parts of Northern Ireland protocol.

Brussels ‘would respond in a serious way’ if London suspends operation of NI protocol.

For those suffering the damaging after-effects, it is Brexit that's providing the nightmares.

The EU is "negotiating with a partner it simply can't trust" in post-Brexit talks, Ireland's foreign minister has said.

Maros Sefcovic said they searched for four years for the ‘best solution to the very sensitive situation in Northern Ireland’.

Brussels was “preparing for the worst” over Brexit on Wednesday after the UK signalled the EU’s offer to scrap up to 80 per cent of checks on goods entering Northern Ireland was not enough to resolve the bitter dispute over the Irish border.

Concerns grow that Boris Johnson has already decided to trigger article 16 of Northern Ireland protocol.

Talks aimed at avoiding a trade war take place in ‘gloomy atmosphere’.

Joao Vale de Almeida, the bloc’s ambassador to the UK, said it is unhelpful to ‘keep agitating the issue’ of triggering Article 16.

The European Union said on Friday that Britain had made no move to seek a compromise on post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland and cautioned London against triggering emergency unilateral provisions in the Brexit deal.

Europe’s top Brexit negotiator has warned of “serious consequences” if the UK makes good on its threat to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol amid an ongoing row with Brussels over how goods can be shipped between the territory and the UK mainland.

Maroš Šefčovič says Brussels has seen no concessions from UK side in Northern Ireland protocol dispute.

‘The game is up’: Former taoiseach strongly criticises British government’s negotiating stance. / Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that the “game is up” for British negotiators irrespective of whether or not Article 16 is triggered.

There are serious doubts about the government's justification for unilaterally overriding the Northern Ireland Protocol, legal experts have told MPs.

Lawyers reject Liz Truss’s claim that UK is able to dump parts of treaty with EU without its agreement.

Neale Richmond says NI protocol ‘isn’t going anywhere’ despite British efforts to ‘trash’ it.

[This post will] provide a detailed analysis of an article written by David (now Lord) Frost in this week’s Sunday Telegraph.

FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports on the impacts of UK's exit, one year on, as post-Brexit relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union continue to be strained – by rows over irregular migration, over fishing rights and the Brexit deal itself.

Two years since Britain left the EU, Brexit is still very much at the top of the news agenda with lorry queues lengthening at Dover as exporting firms struggle with red tape.

Lord Frost told the Conservative conference that the ‘long bad dream’ of our EU membership is over but his is just beginning.

Northern Ireland risks becoming a “legal basket case” that will deter trade and investment if Article 16 is triggered, companies have warned.

‘In the event of non-compliance.... we are committed to the consistent application of all agreed measures and countermeasures’.

Former Secretary of State Peter Hain has backed claims the Prime Minister is guilty of endangering the peace process in pursuit of Brexit.

As crises mount, the polls show voters turning at last. But the national newspapers that backed Leave – even the two now edited by Remainers – continue to pretend there is nothing wrong.

Irish deputy PM says UK triggering article 16 would precipitate collapse in relations with EU.

Dublin and Brussels poised for Britain to effectively suspend operation of NI protocol

The body representing Irish SMEs has sharply criticised the UK's threat to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, potentially over the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Brussels chief says US president agrees Britain should not ditch post-Brexit protocol.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has said that triggering Article 16 and suspending parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol would be "colossally stupid".

Insiders reject inference of division among EU members on Northern Ireland issue.

Unilateral extension over checks on chilled meats likely to be rejected by Brussels.

Liz Truss becoming Prime Minister is the end of what little hope remained that the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill would be scrapped.

Former prime minister Sir John Major said the dangerous move would be ‘silly politics’ to placate ‘extreme Brexiteers’.

The former prime minister made to the warning to Boris Johnston as talks between the EU and UK continue.

“The Northern Ireland Protocol was a significant achievement during the volatile Brexit process, and its full implementation is critical for ensuring Brexit doesn’t undermine decades of progress toward peace on the island of Ireland. ..."

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

Irish Sea border checks are a legal requirement and it is right they are continuing, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has told MPs.

NICOLA Sturgeon has warned the UK Government that following through on a threat to trigger a Brexit clause that would suspend part of the deal is “the most irresponsible thing that could be done right now” - as the First Minister insisted the move should not be made “to stoke tensions because there is a perception that plays well with domestic audiences”.

Such a move by the UK is likely to spark retaliation from the EU, with talk of a suspension of the EU-UK trade deal that could result in a trade war.

Government should lift ‘veil of secrecy’ as big decisions are made about protocol, says shadow NI secretary.

“What worries me is the casual political vandalism. They really don’t seem to care," Tony Blair's former chief negotiator on Northern Ireland has said.

With a potential trade war looming, Conservatives are stuck in an ever-more destructive disagreement over what Britain should look like outside the EU.

"Has Article 16 been triggered? / To date, neither party has formally triggered Article 16. It has, however, been referred to by both the EU and UK."

It would be "profoundly tragic" if the government moves to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, a senior Labour figure has said.

The prime minister is expected to give ministers powers to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol.

‘Is it Article 16? And, if not, which article is he citing?’ Brandon Lewis is asked - as EU prepares legal action

Northern Ireland dominated Brexit negotiations for years and remains a highly contentious element of EU-UK relations. The nature of the UK’s departure from the EU means the issue will not go away any time soon.

It’s probably fair to say that Owen Paterson was not a household name until the events that led to his resignation last week. However, he played a significant role in the Brexit saga, albeit of a particular sort.

“The dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric emanating from Boris Johnson’s Government is now undermining all of the progress we have made in recent years."

Border Communities Against Brexit will protest at five locations on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic in support of the protocol.

The Irish Government held high level discussions this week with the Biden administration over UK plans to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said.

Special trade arrangements are crucial to peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. Yet Brexiters in London refuse to see that.

Labour’s leader is perceived to be sitting on his hands over Europe. But private discussions with European leaders tell a different story.

Deep within the Northern Ireland protocol bill, ministers are making a sinister grab for yet more unchecked powers.

EU leaders urged to push back against No 10’s brinkmanship over role of European Court of Justice.

Former PM brands mooted UK policy ‘absurd’.

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said a compromise can still be found.

The United States will delay its deal to remove tariffs on UK steel and aluminum because of concerns about post-Brexit trade rules affecting Northern Ireland, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The UK has given the EU a new deadline of two weeks to agree to axe trade checks introduced by the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, or risk unilateral action by London.

A SCOTTISH LibDem MP has demanded the UK Government rules out triggering Brexit clause that would essentially suspend part of the Norther Ireland Protocol – warning it cannot be used as “a get-out-of-jail free card”.

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said suspending the Northern Ireland Protocol could endanger the entire withdrawal agreement.

London replies to European Commission in a letter setting out Britain’s unilateral decision to carry on with the status quo.

Lord Frost attacks EU’s ‘purist’ approach to post-Brexit checks warning they risk stability in Northern Ireland.

Micheál Martin says UK needs to reciprocate EU goodwill in order to achieve a deal

European affairs minister says British government out of step with preserving peace with protocol threats.

Fresh from scandals and an attempted ousting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest plan is to tear up key parts of a post-Brexit agreement on Northern Ireland he made himself less than three years ago.

A “tough guy” approach when it comes to Northern Ireland will lead to “disaster”, Irish minister for European affairs Thomas Byrne warned this morning.