Legislation relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol is “both necessary and lawful”, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said, warning “we simply can’t allow the situation to drift”.

Ms Truss told MPs “we remain open to negotiations with the EU”, but added “in the absence of the EU being willing to change the Protocol, we are pressing ahead with legislation”.

Last week the Government tabled a Bill at Westminster that would empower ministers to override much of the contentious post-Brexit trading regime it agreed with the EU in the withdrawal talks.

Liz Truss: Northern Ireland Protocol legislation is ‘both necessary and lawful’