As Rishi Sunak concludes tortuous NI deal, Boris Johnson watches and waits

The prime minister has an easier ride than his predecessors on a deal with Brussels – provided Johnson likes it

Rishi Sunak is approaching what might be his toughest party management challenge yet – the conclusion of a long negotiation to find a way through the tortuous issue of the Northern Ireland protocol.

But keeping his MPs in line is likely to depend hugely on whether Boris Johnson sees the protocol as his moment to stage a key intervention that could set in train a potential comeback.