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Paris struck a deal with the Republic of Ireland to fast-track its commercial drivers crossing the Channel from Dover to the French port.

The agreement was made between Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on Wednesday.

Mr Coveney said: “We’ve had quite detailed discussions in terms of differentiating Irish trucks from British trucks. Under the right circumstances Irish trucks will not need to be inspected, whereas UK trucks may need to be inspected.”

But the deal has angered haulage firms in the UK, who have blasted the EU for an apparent attempt to punish and humiliate Britain over Brexit.