The DUP has brushed aside a court ruling saying its decision to boycott meetings with Irish government ministers required under the Good Friday agreement is unlawful. (See 2.51pm and 4.01pm.) Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP leader, announced the policy to intensify pressure for an overhaul of the Northern Ireland protocol. (See 3.12pm.) The judgment came ahead of a speech tomorrow by Lord Frost, the Brexit minister, which, on the basis of advance briefing, is expected to indicate that the UK government is moving closer to unilaterally suspending parts of the protocol, by triggering article 16. Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign minister, said today the EU is increasingly frustrated by the UK’s tactics, and close to the point of giving up hope that the two sides can find a compromise solution. No 10 has weighed in behind Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, in his spat with the chancellor, saying both of their government departments are looking at how to support firms struggling with soaring energy prices. Kwarteng has now formally asked the Treasury to help support energy-intensive industries. This is from ITV’s Anushka Asthana.
Labour has also urged Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, to support energy intensive industries. It has set out the request in a letter to the chancellor from Rachel Reeves, his Labour shadow. She said: Our brilliant British industries are a crucial cornerstone of our economy, and we should be supporting them to boost our recovery. The government should be protecting and supporting them through a crisis which has come about from their own lack of planning. They have a duty to get an immediate grip on this situation, and businesses need reassurance that this is happening. It’s crucial to also see the government out reassuring the public that they won’t be hit with more rising costs as millions are left with less money in their pockets. Not doing so is looking increasingly out of touch. Downing Street has defended Boris Johnson’s right to be on holiday this week, saying he remains “in charge”. (See 1.07pm.) The Chemical Industries Association has said some of its members were only weeks away from having to close plants because of rising energy costs. (See 10.31am.) Businesses involved in channelling crucial carbon dioxide supplies to the food and drink industry have struck a deal aimed at averting shortages of products such as meat and fizzy drinks until January next year.