Britain sets six month deadline to fix Northern Ireland protocol after talks with Joe Biden

BRITAIN has set a six-month deadline to solve the Northern Ireland protocol — ahead of a possible state visit from Joe Biden next year.

Liz Truss sat down for an hour-long chat with the US President in New York last night, where they agreed to work together for a deal.

State department officials are planning for Mr Biden to visit next year for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday deal.

And Sir Tony Blair, who helped seal the landmark agreement, is working behind the scenes to help solve the impasse.

Mr Biden hailed the UK as “our closest ally in the world” as the pair struck a friendly tone.

But the DUP are refusing to play their part over concerns about the hated protocol.

It means lorries going from GB to Northern Ireland face chaotic customs checks, and tax changes do not apply to the province.

Ministers this week told the EU they would continue delaying implementing full checks despite legal action from Brussels.

Sources said both sides were looking at the 25th anniversary as a key decision point.

They said would look bad for everyone if there was no Northern Ireland Assembly set up by then.

Ms Truss said: “I’ve always been clear that my preference is for a negotiated settlement. What I will not allow is this to drift.”