UK hits back at Von der Leyen over Northern Ireland protocol

European Commission president says Brexit rather than protocol is disrupting trade across Irish sea

Downing Street has hit back at Ursula von der Leyen's disappointing" lack of recognition of the anger in Northern Ireland and of the EU's duty to ease tensions after the European Commission president blamed Brexit for recent problems.

Following a summit with leaders in Brussels, Von der Leyen reiterated her offer to find practical solutions" to issues destabilising politics in the region but insisted arrangements in the withdrawal agreement to avoid a border on the island of Ireland must be fully implemented.