The UK “cannot wait forever” for a response from the EU to its proposals to change the Northern Ireland Protocol, Boris Johnson’s Brexit minister has warned.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Lord Frost said the government was prepared to invoke Article 16, designed to be used when the protocol is unexpectedly leading to serious “economic, societal or environmental difficulties”, over the row.

Live updates from the Conservative Party conference in Manchester

The protocol is a key part of the Brexit deal struck between London and Brussels and is designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Having negotiated and signed up to the arrangement, the UK has now put forward proposals to change it.

Lord Frost acknowledged that the UK willingly entered into the protocol, but claimed in his speech that “the arrangements have begun to come apart even more quickly than we feared”.

On the UK’s proposals, he added: “We await a formal response from the EU to our proposals. But, from what I hear, I worry that we will not get one which enables the significant change we need.”

Brexit: Boris Johnson says Northern Ireland Protocol will be a case of ‘fixing it or ditching it’

Butcher shortage causes backlog of 120,000 pigs that ‘should have been slaughtered and eaten by now’

UK warned ‘retaliatory action’ could see Channel Tunnel blocked after three-quarters of small French boat licences denied

Lord Frost called on Brussels to be “ambitious” and said it would be “no use tinkering around the edges”.

“We need significant change. If we can agree something better, we can get back to where we wanted to be – an independent Britain with friendly relations with the EU based on free trade,” he continued.

“But we cannot wait forever. Without an agreed solution soon, we will need to act, using the Article 16 safeguard mechanism, to address the impact the protocol is having on Northern Ireland.

“That may in the end be the only way to protect our country – our people, our trade, our territorial integrity, the peace process, and the benefits of this great UK of which we are all part.”

Related posts:

Williamson backs schools who ban mobiles – but comes under fire over ‘undisciplined’ pupils claim Sunak confirms he ‘pushed’ to help ex-PM Cameron with Greensill COVID loan request Labour will struggle to weaponise Greensill row after ‘Major Sleaze’ misfire left voters unmoved The questions at the heart of Lex Greensill’s interrogation by MPs Sister of murdered MP Jo Cox seeks to be Labour by-election candidate Rebel Tory MPs aim to force Commons vote on foreign aid cuts UK secures post-Brexit trade agreement with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein Army tankers to deliver fuel to petrol stations from Monday Tory chair challenged by senior MP over claim ‘male privilege’ is ‘crass term’ British trawler detained as part of French fishing feud still being held despite Macron climbdown Tory MPs try to overthrow colleague’s 30-day suspension from House of Commons PM faces crucial week after Number 10 shake-up in wake of resignations and ongoing pressure from MPs