EU Commission  apologises for 'mistake' over triggering Article 16

'Deeply regretted' move, which would have stopped the importation of vaccines into the North, driven by 'lack of transparency'

European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic apologised over the diplomatic row.  Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The EU Commission has apologised for the major diplomatic row it caused last month over the Irish border, admitting a mistake was made and is “deeply regretted”.

The significant diplomatic and political crisis was caused by the EU’s move on Friday, January 29, to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol, only for it to be stopped at the last minute following loud protests from Dublin.