Today’s meeting between European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on the Northern Ireland Protocol will be followed by a written statement, an official said, suggesting hopes for progress on a dispute which has dogged EU-UK ties since Brexit

“We are working around the clock at the moment to find solutions - joint solutions - with the UK government to facilitate the implementation of the protocol with Ireland and Northern Ireland,” a Commission spokesperson said.

The official said the meeting in London would start shortly.