Sunak extends Brexit olive branch to VDL and Irish PM in urgent call

Rishii Suank has held calls with the EU chief and Irish premier (Image: HM TREASURY)Rishi Sunak extended a Brexit olive branch to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in urgent calls to both leaders. The UK’s new Prime Minister told Irish premier Mr Martin in a call his preference remains a “negotiated outcome” on the Northern Ireland Protocol. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Taoiseach Micheal Martin this evening.”The leaders agreed on the vital importance of a strong relationship between the UK and Ireland and expressed their determination to build on that friendship in the coming months.”The Prime Minister welcomed Ireland’s ongoing support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of continued international unity in the face of (Vladimir) Putin’s aggression.”Discussing the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Prime Minister set out that his preference remained a negotiated outcome and hoped all parties would approach the current challenges with pragmatism and goodwill.”The leaders agreed on the urgent need for a functioning executive in Northern Ireland. Both undertook to continue discussions in the coming weeks and months.”The Taoiseach said he spoke with Mr Sunak about the need to find “agreed solutions” on the Northern Ireland Protocol.He tweeted: “Good conversation with British PM Rishi Sunak this evening. Discussed co-operation on Ukraine and ongoing developments in NI. Agreed on importance of EU-UK negotiations to find agreed solutions on the protocol.”THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW…