The final image used in the Sky package
(Picture: Sky News/ Screengrab)It might feel like ancient history now but Brexit is still causing a lot of problems, most notably in Northern Ireland.
The UK government are now claiming that that post-Brexit trading agreement that was part of the withdrawal deal that was agreed in 2019 is unsustainable. Lord Frost has said that “we cannot go on as we are” and that the EU needs to look at the UK’s proposals with “fresh eyes.”
Inevitably, the EU has rejected these demands in regard to the protocol, with officials now fearing that this dispute could lead to a trade war between the two parties.
Reporting on this now highly important and sensitive issue, a rather apt image from a farm was used to close out a report from Sky News’ senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins.
This may be my favourite closing shot EVER. 😂 #Protocol pic.twitter.com/qxtoDBjn1y
— David Blevins (@skydavidblevins) July 21, 2021
Blevins had earlier hinted that the ‘Beware of the bull’ sign would be featured in his report.
Back on the farm, filming my umpteenth piece on the Northern Ireland Protocol… #Brexit pic.twitter.com/0JHseijO1q
— David Blevins (@skydavidblevins) July 21, 2021
Blevins’ story has now been viewed more than 70,000 times and many thought the choice closing image was inspired (or should we say ‘bovine’...)
Already stashed in desk drawer for news review of the year 👏
— Martin Cowley (@MartinCowley3) July 21, 2021
All they awards now, have them all pic.twitter.com/nCs0XNk5Xo
— Rachel ★ (@nonameslob_) July 21, 2021
Haha! Brilliant!
— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) July 21, 2021
— Vic Ahtty 🔰 (@PrimeNumberOne) July 21, 2021
An excellent and informed journalist who manages to engage humor in the midst of it all. https://t.co/aR832uv7a3
— Claudia May (@ClaudiaMayPhD) July 21, 2021
In regards to the dispute, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the EU on Tuesday: “A deal is a deal but it wasn’t something that was going to last forever. It was something that was flexible and we want to make it work more smoothly.”
At the moment the government looks to be reluctant to enact Article 16 which is only supposed to be used when the protocol is causing “economic, societal or environmental difficulties.”
Kwarteng added: “Article 16 … it is something that we could do, to suspend it, we’ve chosen not to do that, that’s not our opening position and we want to be able to negotiate and have a conversation with the EU about how best to go forward.”
The protocol was put in place to ensure there would be no hard border with Ireland, but it has instead effectively placed a trade barrier in the Irish Sea.
