Brexit withdrawal agreement
There are also growing signs of a civil service walkout over his plan to break international law and unpick his own exit deal.
The MP stepped down from his post for "personal reasons".
"Yes this does break international law in a very specific and limited way," says Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis.
Jonathan Jones resigns as head of the government's legal department over suggestions the PM will renege on the withdrawal agreement he negotiated.
PM is expected to call his own withdrawal agreement "contradictory" as the UK eyes more power over trade and state aid in Northern Ireland.
The PM is talking up no deal, and has been accused of ripping up last year's exit agreement, but the UK may not be on the precipice – yet.
But Lib Dem's Ed Davey said businesses would react with "utter horror" at having to make preparations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision, announced by Michael Gove, comes amid fears of the economic impact of coronavirus.
For both Covid-19 and Brexit, pressure from within the prime minister's party runs against the public mood, Anand Menon and Alan Wager write.
Theresa May’s former deputy says public and business realise coronavirus should be the priority