Protocol deal reportedly 'imminent' as PM due in Northern Ireland
Last updated 16th Feb 2023
Downing Street officials have confirmed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is due in Northern Ireland on Thursday evening.
A Number 10 spokesperson also confirmed Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris will be here.
In a statement they said: "Whilst talks with the EU are ongoing, ministers continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure any solution fixes the practical problems on the ground, meets our overarching objectives, and safeguards Northern Ireland's place in the UK's internal market.
"The Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are travelling to Northern Ireland this evening to speak to political parties as part of this engagement process."
Mr Sunak's arrival comes amid speculation that a UK/EU deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol could be imminent.
Mr Sunak was in Northern Ireland in December when he met Stormont party leaders to discuss the post-Brexit trading arrangements.
It is also believed that Northern Ireland's Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet the EU's chief negotiator Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Friday.