The Brexit minister met with his EU counterpartMaros Sefcovic this afternoon for face-to-face discussions on the Protocol. Talks have already been extended beyond the initial timetable proposed by the UK as both sides frantically try to avoid the suspension of the Brexit treaty via the legal mechanism of Article 16.

While it is understood some progress was made in some areas today, talks once again ended without results.

With Lord Frost warning he will not let discussions become unnecessarily lengthy, each meeting without a breakthrough pushes Britain closer to deploying the nuclear option.

Following today's meeting, the Brexit minister said: "European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic and I met today in London to take stock of discussions on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"We discussed the full range of issues causing difficulties in Northern Ireland.

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A solution on the matter must be found within "weeks" if there is to be a solution that does not require Article 16 according to officials.

While there is some hope a long term fix will be found on medicines, the UK mood is more downbeat on other areas.

Despite constructive discussions, no significant progress has been made on easing the flow of goods to Northern Ireland across the Irish Sea.

The protocol effectively places Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for goods to help avoid a hard border with Ireland.

But this has led to checks on goods crossing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, creating a barrier to trade within the UK.

Lord Frost wants Brussels to agree to scrap all checks on goods set to remain in Northern Ireland with little chance of leaking into the EU single market.

In a statement of his own following today's talks, Mr Sefcovic said there was the need for urgency to reach a solution, as time begins to run out.

He said: "A decisive push is needed to ensure predictability."

The two men will meet again next Friday for further discussions.

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Brexit talks on the brink as EU refuses to back down - countdown to Article 16 begins - Daily Express