The UK’s relationship with the European Union after Brexit could remain “bumpy” for some time, the Government admitted. Brexit minister Lord Frost said he wanted the situation with Brussels to improve but highlighted ongoing problems with Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit arrangements. The Tory peer told MPs that the ability to diverge from EU regulations would be one of the big prizes of leaving the bloc, but acknowledged this could cause further difficulties over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Lord Frost with Rebecca Ellis, Director, Northern Ireland/Ireland Unit, Cabinet Office (left) and Emma Churchill, director general, Border and Protocol Delivery Group, Cabinet Office, giving evidence to the Commons European Scrutiny Committee (House of Commons/PA)