Geoffrey Cox 'ditches UK demand for Brexit backstop end date and unilateral exit clause'

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox risks fresh anger from Conservative Brexiteers amid reports he has shelved attempts to try and put a time limit or unilateral exit clause on the controversial Northern Ireland backstop. According to the Telegraph, the Cabinet minister - who has been leading efforts to secure changes to Theresa May's Brexit deal - has conceded that the two major demands of Tory eurosceptics are too 'blunt' and will not be accepted by the European Union. Ministers briefed on Mr Cox's thinking said he is instead trying to secure an independent 'arbitration mechanism' allowing Britain or Brussels to serve notice that the backstop should come to an end.