EU: We'll Cut Brex Checks

But Brussels rebuffs UK demand on NI Protocol

- Ben Glazed

European leaders last night bowed to pressure to ease Brexit rules on exporting goods including sausages from Britain's mainland to Northern Ireland.

But they rejected British pleas to scrap the European Court of Justice's role in overseeing the Northern Ireland Protocol, which prevents a hard border with the Republic.

EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic unveiled plans that would cut red tape on Irish Sea trade.

He said the proposal was designed to ensure peace and stability are protected while avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.