BRITAIN is ready to axe hated Northern Ireland border checks and spark a trade war with the EU, the PM’s Brexit chief blasted last night.
Lord Frost warned Brussels will be “making a significant mistake” if it underestimates No 10’s resolve to end the red tape chaos ravaging NI firms.
In a punchy speech to peers he told eurocrats only a “real negotiation” on a long-term solution will avoid a major confrontation.
But he insisted Boris Johnson will only pull the trigger if he’s left with no other “choice” and called for both sides to move towards each other.
He expressed “concern” about the bloc’s stubborn stance and demanded: “Those negotiations need to begin seriously and they need to begin soon.”
His remarks came as No 10 was poised to suspend extra checks on goods arriving from Europe to avoid disruption to Christmas shopping.
Industry chiefs had voiced fears red tape due to be introduced next month would lead to shortages of festive food favourites and kids’ toys.
Meanwhile M&S boss Archie Norman blasted EU custom rules as a “fandango of bureaucracy” as the supermarket mulls shuttering stores on the continent.
