Brexit: No protocol breakthrough as UK and EU agree to ‘scope’ for solutions

Hopes of joint political declaration dashed after talks between James Cleverly and EU’s Maros Sefcovic

There was no breakthrough in the post-Brexit row over the Northern Ireland Protocol following talks between foreign secretary James Cleverly and his European Commission counterpart Maros Sefcovic.

Dispute hopes of the two sides could issue a political declaration on Monday, the UK and the EU only agreed to continue “scoping work” to solve the dispute as gaps in their positions remained.

Mr Cleverly and Mr Sefcovic said they would continue to search for potential solutions in a “constructive and collaborative spirit” after they discussed a range of “existing challenges” in the virtual meeting.