The DUP has said it will not re-enter the North’s stalled powersharing institutions unless the protocol deal meets these requirements.
The East Antrim MP was doubtful as to whether these could be resolved speedily, saying: “The fact the [UK] government’s been at this for two or three months and has not even been able to address the major issues probably wouldn’t hold out much hope of a deal which is going to iron out the problems which the protocol has caused.”
He said Mr Sunak had “weakened his hand considerably because he’s gone into these negotiations without the Protocol Bill being in place,” adding: “I don’t know if he is capable of delivering what is needed.” Meetings took place over the weekend between senior Irish, British and EU politicians, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin due to meet the EU’s negotiator Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels on Sunday night.