A spat was played out in the pre-Brexit deal showdown that is to come in June, with Northern Ireland as the pawn on the board, or the spanner in the works, depending on the metaphor of choice.
An EU mission office was set to be installed in Belfast as part of the deal to oversee the customs clearance and rules adherence that will be necessary to complete the withdrawal deal.
London kiboshed the plan for said office, and a whole row ensued, voices clamouring from north, south, east and west.
Next thing we know there are plans in place to inspect shipments at ports in the north.
The so-called border down the Irish Sea, that isn’t a border, appears more of a reality. Then the new threat of a walk away from the talks emanating from London.
