Britain fears EU is trying to drag Brexit border talks back into ‘trench warfare’

BRITAIN fears the EU is trying to drag Brexit border talks back into “trench warfare” with its hardball approach.

UK negotiators were alarmed by a “provocative” statement from Brussels boss Maros Sefcovic over binning red tape.

The top eurocrat suggested Belfast’s move to scrap checks on food arriving from GB risks the return of a hard border.

British officials warned his outburst risks “escalating” already inflamed tensions in Ulster over the controversial Protocol.

One told Trending In The News: “We’ve been trying to stress the importance of keeping communications calm.”

Belfast has been embroiled in 72 hours of chaos leading to Unionists pulling the rug from under the Stormont Assembly.

First minister Paul Givan quit in protest at the Protocol, sparking opposition calls for a snap election.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson insisted power sharing won’t be restored until No 10 and Brussels fix the problem.

It comes after agriculture minister Edwin Poots sparked uproar by ordering an end to EU checks on food from from GB.

The diktat prompted a harsh response from Brussels which made veiled threats of trade sanctions against the whole UK.

Port officials in NI refused to comply with the command on the basis it may breach last year’s Brexit trade deal.

And today the high court in Belfast said checks must continue until there’s a full hearing into whether it’s legal.