Senior DUP figures said they will regain ground lost to Sinn Féin if UK calls a new election – and will keep Stormont shut to stain any President Biden visit.

The Scottish First Minister said UK Ministers should ‘relish the opportunity to put your case before the people and let the people decide’.

He also distanced Labour from Corbyn, particularly on foreign policy, even describing the party as the “political wing of the British people” — a catchphrase from former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, a hate figure for the Corbynites.

Diplomatic U-turn by Steve Baker raises Irish eyebrows ahead of resumed UK-EU negotiations.