Starmer under fire over ‘compromise’ remark on NI deal

THE Foreign Secretary has claimed Sir Keir Starmer’s reaction to the new Brexit deal suggests he does not understand “how negotiations work”.

James Cleverly hit back at the Labour leader for saying the Windsor Framework is a “compromise”, and he insisted that business and community leaders “really welcome” what the Government has achieved.

Rishi Sunak has said he is “confident” his deal to rewrite the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol addresses the concerns of the DUP as he seeks to sell the fresh arrangements to the people of Northern Ireland.

Responding to Mr Sunak’s statement in the Commons on Monday, Sir Keir, said: “The protocol will never be perfect. It’s a compromise.”

But Mr Cleverly told Sky News yesterday: “The Leader of the Opposition wouldn’t understand, I think, how negotiations work, it seems.

“If he describes it as a compromise … I think what I’ve heard is business leaders, community leaders, representatives of the retail community, the spokesman of the Guide Dogs Association and a whole load of other people really welcome what we’ve achieved.”

Peter Kyle, Labour’s shadow Northern Ireland secretary, said the reaction was “a bit strange” as Sir Keir was “paying a compliment” to Mr Sunak.