Boris Johnson’s intervention in NI Brexit row ‘not entirely unhelpful’ – minister

Penny Mordaunt says ex-PM's comments served as reminder to Brussels of UK threat to override Northern Ireland protocol

An intervention by Boris Johnson in the row over solving the post-Brexit deadlock in Northern Ireland is not entirely unhelpful", a cabinet minister has said, as work to clinch a deal with the EU goes down to the wire.

Penny Mordaunt, the Commons leader, suggested concerns reportedly raised by the former prime minister were a welcome reminder to Brussels of the threat that Britain could try to unilaterally override the Northern Ireland protocol.