Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful, Supreme Court rules - BBC

The protocol was agreed by the UK and EU in 2019 to ensure free movement of trade across the Irish land border after Brexit.

On the third ground the court found that Parliament had empowered the secretary of state to lawfully make changes to voting rules.

Image caption, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (left), Baroness Kate Hoey (second right), and former first minister Dame Arlene Foster (right) outside the UK Supreme Court in London.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the legal challenge "had highlighted why unionists are opposed to the trading arrangements".

Matthew O'Toole of the Social Democratic and Labour Party said the Supreme Court's ruling provides "important clarity" on the legality of the protocol.

"Following this judgment, it is now critical that the EU and UK negotiating teams reach a comprehensive resolution that protects our unique access to the Single Market for goods while addressing the concerns around protocol implementation that have given rise to sincere objections related to trade barriers and identity issues in the unionist community," he added.