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The prime minister has been urged not to serve up a “half-baked” deal aimed at resolving the NI Protocol impasse, as the the EU and UK are reported to be edging closer to an agreement.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson cautioned Rishi Sunak that interim any arrangement should be “done properly” if the powersharing executive at Stormont is to be restored.

However, Sir Jeffrey also moved to downplay speculation that London and Brussels were on the cusp of striking a deal, saying Cabinet ministers were advising him there was still “quite a gap” between to the two sides.

Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart has called on NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to challenge the US administration to prioritise the integrity of the Belfast Agreement over the promotion of the NI Protocol during his trip to Washington DC.

"I also hope that in his meetings he will underline the importance of the US supporting the Belfast Agreement in all its parts, not just cherry-picking parts for convenience,” Mr Stewart said.

Responding to claims by Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin – that the unionist parties want to retain NI access to the EU Single Market – UUP MLA Steve Aiken said the internal NI/GB market remains the priority.

Unionists urge government to think carefully over any solution to the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse