Northern Ireland Secretary rejects calls for Brexit transition extension

By PA News team.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis rejected opposition calls for an extension to the Brexit transition period.

Speaking during Commons Northern Ireland questions, SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood asked: "Given all that is happening right now, is it surely not the time to begin to agree to a transition period extension so that we can finally get a proper agreement around Brexit? Because this isn't possible to do in our view at this time."

Colum Eastwood

Mr Lewis responded: "First of all there is no reason why the (European) Commission should be requiring a permanent presence in Belfast to monitor the implementation of the protocol.

"We are focused on and determined to ensure we fulfil all of our obligations to deliver on the protocol and no, I think the best way we can give certainty and confirmation for business, is to follow through and deliver on our promise to make sure we leave and have everything in place for the end of December this year."