The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gove’ s confidence on NI Protocol deal is welcomed by FM
Suspending post-Brexit arrangements for Irish Sea trade would have “profound and deeply damaging consequences” for every part of the UK, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.
The first minister welcomed comments from Cabinet Minister Michael Gove in Cardiff yesterday when he said he was confident that talks with the EU over the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol could progress without the government suspending that part of the Brexit deal.
The government has warned it may suspend parts of the protocol, by triggering the Article 16 mechanism, if talks with the European Commission do not resolve the stand-off over disruption from the new Irish Sea trade barriers.
Ms Sturgeon said Mr Gove’s remarks suggest the UK is focused on a deal.
Attending the BritishIrish Council summit along with Mr Gove, she said: “I welcome Michael Gove’s language today that there is now a focus on getting a resolution.
“For my part, I think that there are credible and serious proposals on the table, and if there is a political will and a desire to find agreement, that should be possible.
“The triggering of Article 16 would have profound and deeply damaging consequences for every part of the UK.
“That would be the case at any time, but particularly now when we’re already dealing with Brexit disruption and... trying to deal with and look ahead to the recovery from Covid.
“This is not an abstract political debate, the consequences will be felt, in particular, by businesses and individuals the length and breadth of the UK,” she said.
Meanwhile, UK Brexit negotiator Lord David Frost said there is the potential to “generate momentum” in talks with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It follows a meeting in Brussels with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic yesterday.
Lord Frost said the UK wants to “secure a solution based on consensus”.
Negotiations appear to be gathering pace, with Mr Sefcovic welcoming the “change in tone” from the UK and calling for “joint tangible solutions” to be found within the framework of the protocol.
“There is now a focus on getting a resolution