The government has said it is prepared to remove three key clauses from the controversial Internal Markets Bill, in an attempt to offer an olive branch in its discussions with the European Union over a trade deal.

Following discussions with the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, the government said in a 7 December statement that it would remove three clauses from the bill — should the solutions being considered in negotiations be finalised. This means that if a deal is not agreed in time, the clauses will remain in the legislation.