If the EU is as committed to the Belfast Agreement as it claims to be, here’s what it will do, sooner or later

If strict East-West checks and North-South checks are problematic, the only solution left standing is to minimise the former by rewriting the Protocol.

Henry Hill: Frost’s appointment shows the Government is not resigned to the Northern Ireland Protocol

His extension of grace periods only makes sense as part of a strategy aimed at securing meaningful concessions to assuage unionist concerns.

Henry Hill: Gove’s challenge – what if the Protocol ends up threatening the peace in Northern Ireland?

The problem with conjuring the threat of republican terrorism to oppose a land border is the signal it sends to their loyalist counterparts.

Stephen Booth: Now our own Government says it may trigger Article 16 in Northern Ireland. Is the move a bluff? Or is it for real?

The EU’s missteps over the last week have provided an excellent opportunity to seek changes to the Protocol that might provide for a more durable settlement.

WATCH: “It is very disappointing” to see talk of constitutional politics “during a time of national crisis”, says Foster

“For us in Northern Ireland, what we have to do at the moment is all come together to fight against Covid.”

Henry Hill: Johnson suggests 40-year wait for the next Scottish independence vote

Also: civil servant at heart of Salmond fiasco set for retirement windfall; Foster threatened by loyalist terrorist; and Bogdanor attacks federalist folly.

Happy centenary, Northern Ireland. Let’s plan for a second one.

The Province must be included in Johnson’s mission to make Westminster a positive and pro-active force in every part of the country.

Gove’s bargain to break the deadlock on trade with Ulster leaves big questions unanswered

He has secured a ‘mini-deal’ of the sort we were once told Brussels would not countenance – but there is room in the detail for a choir of devils.

Henry Hill: Sturgeon’s timeline on Salmond scandal called into question as MSPs demand evidence

Also: true scale of the Irish Protocol’s impact on commerce, and Stormont’s ‘rank incompetence’, show how Ulster unionism needs a refresh.

The 56 Conservative MPs backing Brady’s amendment on coronavirus regulations

The move, which aims to increase parliamentary scrutiny of the Government, is also signed by Labour and DUP representatives.

Henry Hill: It is past time the Government worked out a British interpretation of the Belfast Agreement

Both the Prime Minister and his predecessor have failed to challenge the green-tinted vision of the treaty offered up by Dublin and its outriders.

Stephen Booth: Why the row about the Northern Ireland Protocol suggests that the EU’s position isn’t quite as strong as it likes to think

How plausible is it that the UK would zealously enforce EU rules in a scenario in which trade agreement talks have broken down acrimoniously?

Henry Hill: The Shetland Islands explore secession from Scotland

Also: Defence of Westminster’s national role sparks devocrat fury; Salmond inquiry puts Sturgeon’s husband in the spotlight; and more.

Garvan Walshe: Breaking the Withdrawal Agreement risks the No Deal Brexit this Government was elected to avoid

The Tories’ plan will be blocked by the Lords, anyway, as it contradicts the party’s promise to implement the agreement made in November 2019.

Henry Hill: If Gove and Johnson want to save Britain, they’re going to have to use the word ‘Britain’

Also: Galloway shakes up Holyrood battle with new unionist alliance; DUP wracked by major rebellion over Stormont reform; and more.