The Irish Examiner View: UK moves goalposts once again

In the normal course of events, if words always meant what they are supposed to mean, then yesterday's announcement by Britain that it rejects the European Union’s demand for a commitment on competition, environmental and social standards to secure or a free trade agreement would cause something close enough to excitement among the EU negotiators obliged to square the Brexit circle.

When Boris Johnson's government published its 30-page negotiating mandate ahead of talks next week it rejected the idea of a level playing field involving shared standards on state aid, taxation, employment rights and the environment.