The UK has announced further delays to post-Brexit import controls, despite warnings the move will be a boon for tax cheats and smugglers.
Full controls on animal products were due to be enforced next month and other customs declarations introduced in July, having been shelved from January to ease pressures at the border.
But Michael Gove has now delayed them until October and next January respectively – blaming Covid-19, which has led to “greater” disruption than expected.
Elsewhere, a senior official from the Northern Ireland office will be sent to the US in a bid to forge stronger links with Joe Biden’s new administration amid a deepening row between the UK and the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol.
It came as the EU refused to back down on its threat to begin legal action against the UK after its move last week to unilaterally extend post-Brexit grace periods in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has today launched Labour’s May election campaign but refused to be drawn on whether the party will make any gains.
He suggested that Covid-19 and campaign restrictions could cost the party votes and said they are going to be “tough” elections.
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