Rishi Sunak must defy Tory ‘Brexit purity cult’ to get protocol deal, says Starmer

Labour leader offers ‘political cover’ – as he urges PM to stand up to MPs in European Research Group

Rishi Sunak must stand up to the “Brexit purity cult” inside the Conservative party to reach a deal with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, Sir Keir Starmer will warn.

The Labour leader will use a speech in Belfast to urge the prime minister to take on the Brexiteers in the Tories’ European Research Group (ERG) in order to resolve the row over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Sir Keir will say he will offer “political cover” at Westminster if Mr Sunak can deliver a compromise agreement with the EU to ease trade barriers which is in the national interest.