Leave campaigners ‘surprised’ by decay in relations with EU, says David Frost

Brexit minister says dispute over border checks in Northern Ireland main barrier to better relationship

The deterioration in relations with the EU, partly driven by the Northern Ireland sausage war", has come as a surprise to those, who campaigned to leave the bloc five years ago, the government has admitted.

The Brexit minister, David Frost, said they had dreamed of a sovereign Britain, which could set forth on a global mission while maintaining friendly relations with its neighbours.