Lord Frost says PM is the ‘right leader but has the wrong people and policies’

In his first interview since his resignation as Brexit Minister last month, Lord Frost has called on the prime minister to prioritise “free markets, free debate and low taxes” and to “set the direction of travel” to appeal to ordinary voters.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Lord Frost added that there needs to be “different voices” around the Prime Minister if “we’re going to get out of this little trough and win the Election in a couple of years’ time”.

He also warned: “I saw the polling and it doesn’t look good. I don’t think the Red Wall is so different to the rest of the country”.

Lord Frost’s comments come as his successor as Brexit Minister and chief Brexit negotiator, Liz Truss, warned the EU that she would trigger Article 16 if talks fail. Liz Truss said: “My priority is to protect peace and stability in Northern Ireland. I want a negotiated solution but if we have to use legitimate provisions including Article 16, I am willing to do that”.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the foreign secretary said: “My priority is to protect peace and stability in Northern Ireland. I want a negotiated solution but if we have to use legitimate provisions including Article 16, I am willing to do that”.

The triggering of Article 16 would allow parts of the protocol to be unilaterally suspended. The Article is intended to be a “safeguard” if either the EU or UK believe that Protocol is leading to “serious” practical problems or a diversion of trade — “economic, societal or environmental difficulties”. There is no specific guidance on what qualifies as a “serious” difficulty.