William James

LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain and Ireland exchanged barbs via Twitter (NYSE:), Sunday following David Frost’s assertion that Britain must accept “significant changes” in its Northern Ireland Protocol that regulates trade and borders.

It was part of the Brexit Settlement Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached with the EU. London, however, has repeated its demand that the protocol be revised within one year. This is due to British import restrictions in Northern Ireland.

Simon Coveney, Ireland’s foreign Minister asked on Twitter: “Real Question: Does UKG (UK Government), actually want an agreed path forward or a further breakdown of relations?”

Frost responded with a reproach: “I don’t prefer negotiations through Twitter, but @simoncoveney began the process …”

Frost denied Coveney’s assertion that he was making additional demands. Frost stated that Britain’s concerns regarding the European Court of Justice’s involvement in the proceedings were expressed three months ago.

Frost stated that Frost was wrong to say “The problem with this is that not enough people listen.”

Frost released excerpts from a speech that he will deliver this week, calling for change. He also signaled a desire to remove the protocol’s oversight by European judges.

Coveney of Ireland responded by saying that Britain has created a “red line” that prevents progress and that the EU can’t move forward.

It comes as part of the week-long debate on how to control the flow goods between Britain, Northern Ireland, and the EU.

Although the European Commission expects to present on Wednesday new measures to resolve post-Brexit issues in trading, it repeatedly reiterated its refusal to renegotiate protocol.

Frost, who will be addressing the diplomat community in Lisbon the day prior, is scheduled to speak the same day.

He’ll say that interminable negotiation isn’t an option, and London must use Article 16 to protect itself if there aren’t immediate solutions.

Article 16 gives each side the right to decide unilaterally if the protocol causes a problem.