Flawed protocol

The central problem with the Northern Ireland Protocol is not that it is too strict, as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggests, but that its design is fundamentally flawed.

It is perfectly reasonable for the Irish Premier to insist the european Single Market must be protected from non-compliant goods entering across the open land border.

But he should be demanding strong controls on the flow of goods from Northern Ireland into the Republic, not from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch could get an order under Section 12 of the export Control Act 2002 passed by the houses of Parliament to establish a licensing system to control goods crossing the border.

This would give the Single Market protection not just from unsuitable goods being brought into Northern Ireland from outside, but also any produced in the Province.

Rational UK export controls must be the sensible way forward, not tinkering with eU import controls. The eU Commission should be prepared to amend the protocol.

Dr D. R. COOPER, Maidenhead, Berks. The delay in removing eU laws shows the Remainers are as determined as ever to frustrate the referendum result. Let’s get a move on, for goodness’ sake, and sack those who want to delay until 2026.

DAVID HUTTON, Crewe, Cheshire.