Brexit: 'Something has to give' over Northern Ireland, David Frost told

Frost has been taking part in talks with EU Vice President Maros Sefcovic over the Northern Ireland Protocol, but so far there have been no agreements struck.

DUP MP Ian Paisley probed Frost on the protocol discussions during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee this morning and said that Unionists feel "utterly betrayed" by the deal. 

It comes amid a row between the EU and UK over the Protocol, which was part of the Brexit deal to prevent goods checks along the Irish land border, instead of creating a border in the Irish sea.

READ MORE: G7 summit: Boris Johnson plays down EU Brexit trade deal row

There is a grace period due to end on July 1, sparking fears products will be stopped from moving between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland unless an agreement is struck.

There are also concerns that there could be growing tensions amongst Loyalists and republicans in Northern Ireland, with the Orange Order marching season set to hit its peak in July. 

Paisley told Frost that the negotiations can’t go on much longer “before something gives” and that he was concerned about the “fabric of our society”.

The trade deal border down the Irish Sea has caused upset amongst Loyalists in Northern Ireland who see this as an attack on their British identity. 

Frost quoted the Prime Minister who said he would not hesitate to invoke Article 16 - a caveat in the agreement for either side to take unilateral action in certain circumstances.

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He added that the UK Government is “extremely concerned about the situation” and that political developments that are “corroding consent and impact on identity” is also a worry for those in Northern Ireland. 

And, Frost added that consent is needed from all sides in Northern Ireland. 

He said: “We try to stay in touch with all range of opinion in Northern Ireland. We are well aware of this and it is very clear in the spiralling political developments we’ve had since the end of January.

“Although we were heavily criticised at the time I believe that the decision we took on extending grace periods at the beginning of March was reassuring that we would not just watch things develop and do nothing."

READ MORE: EU warns Boris Johnson over Northern Ireland border checks

Frost also suggested that the EU had a “slight misunderstanding” of Northern Ireland’s position as part of the UK.

Paisley asked Frost: “One of the other partners to this at the weekend didn’t seem to understand that Northern Ireland was actually part of the United Kingdom, namely Monsieur Macron in his comments about the constitutional position of Northern Ireland.

“If one of the other partners who has signed up to the protocol doesn’t understand that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, does that give you opportunity to move on this as well?”

Frost responded: “I think we’ve sensed that this sort of slight misunderstanding about the status of Northern Ireland has been around for some time, possibly quite a long time.

“It is obviously rather concerning if people see things in that way, it doesn’t seem to us to be consistent with the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement which are very clear on that.”

“As the PM said we’ll do whatever we have to, to make sure we support the peace process. The protocol depends on consent, it is very difficult to operate if there is not consent and willingness from one section of Northern Ireland opinion.”

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: Northern Ireland protocol offers 'some template' for indy Scotland

We previously told how Johnson played down a growing Brexit row with the EU over Northern Ireland during a press conference to mark the end of the G7 summit last week. 

He was probed on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab’s suggestion that the EU had acted in an “offensive” way by refusing to treat Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom, and accusing officials of showing a lack of respect.