Sunak ‘relaxed’ about DUP and Tory backlash over Northern Ireland deal

Prime minister and EU press ahead on protocol agreement before momentum slips

Rishi Sunak is preparing to face down his Brexit critics and press ahead with a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol if he can secure one in the coming days, government sources say.

The prime minister is said to be in “relaxed” mood over a growing backlash over what hardline Eurosceptic MPs fear will amount to little more than a “glossary” on “how to implement” the existing protocol.