Customs experts, academics, industry figures and a senior police officer will form part of a new advisory panel on finding alternatives to the Brexit backstop for the Irish border.

Cabinet ministers Jeremy Hunt and Greg Clark have sought to reassure the pharmaceutical industry that the UK will maintain a "close working relationship" with the European Union after Brexit, amid concerns about the regulation of medicines.

The Board of United Drug plc has announced the appointment of Mr Chris Brinsmead as a non-executive director of the company with immediate effect.