UK Times (gated) report that the UK and the EU
reach a customs agreement that might pave the way
for the end of post-Brexit wrangling over Northern Ireland.
Main points:
- Breakthroughs on customs and court disputes
- It is understood that Brussels has accepted a proposal that would avoid checks on goods destined for Northern Ireland
- Separately the EU has conceded for the first time that the European Court of Justice could rule on issues relating to the province only if a case was referred by the Northern Irish courts.
- The customs element of the deal was due to be announced in December but was pulled at the eleventh hour
more to come