German minister: Northern Ireland Protocol ‘Achilles heel’ to UK-EU relations

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements are the ‘Achilles heel’ to continuing relations between the EU and the UK (Kin Cheung/PA)

Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements are the “Achilles heel” to continuing relations between the EU and the UK, Germany’s foreign minister has said.

Annalena Baerbock’s appeal to find a solution to the deadlock over the Northern Ireland Protocol came as she was due to meet Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday to discuss support for Ukraine and the UK’s relationship with Germany.