Britain and the European Union strike customs deal to end wrangling over Northern Ireland

Rishi Sunak is facing a scramble to win over the DUP and Tory MPs today amid claims a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol is all-but done.

The UK and EU are said to be on the verge of a settlement that could end years of wrangling over post-Brexit rules.

Brussels is believed to have agreed a package that includes scrapping routine checks on products destined for the province.

The outline of a compromise has also emerged on the role of the European Court of Justice, which might only be able to intervene if the domestic courts refer issues.

However, it is far from clear that the terms will be acceptable to unionists in Northern Ireland, or Tory Brexiteers. Both sides are anxious about the potential for any deal to unravel, with the PM desperate to provoking a fresh civil war in his party.

Former Cabinet minister John Redwood fired a warning shot this morning, saying while getting rid of EU checks is important the 'bigger issue that stops agreement is their wish to control the laws and taxes in Northern Ireland'.  

Negotiating teams are continuing to hammer out specific details of a veterinary checks deal, according to The Times, and an announcement does not seem imminent..

Three years after Britain formally left the EU, both sides have been discussing how to implement post-Brexit arrangements on the open border between Northern Ireland and EU member state Ireland.

Part of the solution will see red and green lanes for goods coming from mainland Britain.

Products concluding their journey in Northern Ireland will be filled through without routine checks, while those destined for the Republic will undergo a customs process. 

The EU is said to have made a key concession on the role of the European Courts of Justice.

A source told The Times: 'This is a critical issue of sovereignty and that will remain with the UK.'

Another said: 'The EU has moved a lot from its original position. This deal won't delight anyone but the hope is it satisfies everyone enough.'

A senior British government source said the parameters of an overall deal were in place and it was up to Mr Sunak to decide whether to sign it off.

After months of tensions between London, Brussels, Belfast and Dublin, the dispute over the Northern Ireland Protocol would end with the proposed deal.

There was 'strong agreement' within government that the dispute over the Northern Ireland Protocol needed to end. 

A senior government source told the Times: 'The mood music has completely changed in that both sides have been looking to go as far as they can to compromise to make this work, That hasn't been the old point scoring seen in the past.'