Jean-Claude Juncker says protocol deal better for EU than some in UK saying and calls Boris Johnson ‘a piece of work’– as it happened

5.05pm GMT

Afternoon summary

• Boris Johnson has said he will find it “very difficult” to vote for Rishi Sunak’s revised deal for post-Brexit trade arrangements in Northern Ireland, arguing that the plan ties the UK to EU regulations that will crush efforts to innovate and diverge. For a full summary and analysis of his speech, see 2.30pm.

• Jean-Claude Juncker, who was president of the European Commission during most of the Brexit negotiations, has said the Northern Ireland protocol deal gives more authority to the EU than some in Britain are suggesting. (See 2.30pm.)

• The Partygate investigator Sue Gray is set to be Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, in a coup for the Labour leader who has been looking to appoint a veteran civil servant to prepare the party for government. A Labour party spokesperson said:

The Labour party has offered Sue Gray the role of chief of staff to the leader of the opposition. We understand she hopes to accept the role subject to the normal procedures. Keir Starmer is delighted she is hoping to join our preparations for government and our mission to build a better Britain.

• Isabel Oakeshott, the journalist, who handed more than 100,000 of the former health secretary Matt Hancock’s messages to a newspaper has defended her actions, saying she was acting in the national interest.

Striking members of the NEU teaching union holding a rally in Chichester, where Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, is the local MP. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Updated at 5.22pm GMT

5.03pm GMT

SNP leadership candidates on the campaign trail this afternoon were swift to praise John Swinney, the hugely experienced and well-liked deputy first minister who announced he will step down from government after 16 years once a new first minister is elected. (See 3.48pm.)

After speaking to Ukrainian families in Glasgow, the Scottish finance secretary, Kate Forbes, said Swinney was “an incredibly able to politician who has put public service at the heart of his career” as well as “a friend to so many MSPs”. She went on:

I have valued enormously his advice and guidance over the years and I wish him well because he has put in some shift.

Visiting a community charity in Midlothian, the health secretary, Humza Yousaf, said:

John is one of those unique people in politics that appeals to people right across the political divide, even if you’re not politically involved.

He is one of the most caring, compassionate people I know. I’ve gone through some really hard times and the first person that’s picked the phone up to me has been John, time and time again. I’ll always be grateful for his love and support.

Updated at 5.22pm GMT