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The compromise moves a step closer to a Northern Ireland-only backstop - something the European Union has long pushed for, said Sam Lowe, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform. “If the DUP and the Conservatives now accept the principle of some kind of border in the Irish Sea, it could be possible to get them to go the rest of the way,” he said.

Sam Lowe at the Centre for European Reform warns of trouble ahead for Hogan and the EU’s drive to sign new trade deals in the face of a newly intransigent European Parliament and vociferous green lobby. 

Sam Lowe, of the Centre for European Reform, said that no-deal tariff plans — under which almost 90 per cent of imported products would not face duties — made it “difficult to see” what freeports would achieve.

Former prime minister John Major, who has condemned Johnson’s pugilistic approach to politics, has warned on that the government may still try to use “political chicanery” to bypass the order for a delay. Major has warned that 10 Downing Street’s current incumbent could seek to subvert the Hilary Benn act, which requires the prime minister to seek an extension to the Brexit withdrawal date beyond October 31st if a withdrawal agreement has not been ratified by then.

In a speech to the Centre for European Reform, Sir John suggested the government could try to bypass the Benn Act by issuing an executive Order in Council.That does not require the permission of the Queen, and could potentially suspend the law until after October 31.'I should warn the Prime Minister that - if this route is taken - it will be in flagrant defiance of Parliament and utterly disrespectful to the Supreme Court,' Sir John said.'It would be a piece of political chicanery that no-one should ever forgive or forget.' 

In a speech to the the Centre for European Reform, Major said he feared Boris Johnson could try - via the privy council - to bypass the Benn Act by suspending it until after 31 October.He said: My fear is that the government will seek to bypass statute law, by passing an order of council to suspend the act until after 31 October.It is important to note that an order of council can be passed by privy councillors – that is government ministers – without involving Her Majesty the Queen. I should warn the prime minister that – if this route is taken – it will be in flagrant defiance of parliament and utterly disrespectful to the supreme court. It would be a piece of political chicanery that no one should ever forgive or forget. Major also accused Johnson of “wilfully” destroying the prospects of cross-agreement on Brexit with his Commons onslaught on the opposition. We’ll be mopping up all the reaction to Major’s speech and covering the other political developments today.