Brexit: Michael Gove ‘confident’ article 16 will not be triggered

Minister's comments come as hopes grow Northern Ireland deal will be reached after tone change' in talks

The prospects for a deal with the EU over post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland have been raised, as Michael Gove said the government was confident" it would not need to trigger article 16 suspending the current deal.

The cabinet minister, who has special responsibilities for the union, suggested there were sufficient signs of progress after five weeks of talks that the government would not need to follow through on its recent threats.