Boris Johnson goes for an early morning swim in the sea ahead of G7 showdown 

Boris Johnson prepared for his showdown with EU counterparts today as he went for an early morning swim off the Cornish coast.  

The Premier rose early to take a dip took near the luxurious hotel where the G7 summit is taking place before continuing his health kick as he jogged along the beach.

He readied himself for battle before heading to lunchtime talks with French President EmmanueL Macron, Angela Merkel and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at the summit in Cornwall. 

This afternoon, the Prime Minister demanded ‘radical’ changes to the Northern Ireland protocol as he faced off with Mr Macron amid mounting anger at the EU’s ‘bloody-minded’ approach. 

Boris Johnson rose early to fit a morning swim and a jog at the Carbis Bay location ahead of G7 talks

The Prime Minister also went for a run along the beach in Cornwall today

Despite threats earlier in the week from Brussels of a possible trade war, Downing Street insisted the talks in Cornwall with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had been ‘constructive’.

However the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said there was now an urgent need to find ‘radical changes and pragmatic solutions’ to enable the protocol to function effectively.

‘In all cases they agreed that they needed to continue discussions on this and to continuing talking to try to find a way through,’ the spokesman said.

‘The Prime Minister’s desire currently is to work within the existing protocol to find radical changes and pragmatic solutions. That is our immediate focus.

‘Currently as implemented, the protocol is having a damaging impact on the people of Northern Ireland. We need to find urgent and innovative solutions.’

Downing Street has indicated the UK would be prepared to unilaterally delay the full implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol to prevent a ban on chilled meats crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain.

Restrictions on British-produced chilled meats entering Northern Ireland are due to come into force at the end of the month.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier today

Delaying the checks without Brussels’ agreement risks triggering a ‘sausage war’ trade dispute, with the EU threatening to respond to any breach of the deal signed by the Prime Minister.

A No 10 spokesman said that in his talks with the EU leaders, Mr Johnson had stressed his desire for ‘pragmatism and compromise on all sides’ while stressing the need to protect the Northern Ireland peace process.

‘The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s position on the Northern Ireland Protocol and the need to maintain both the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the UK,’ the spokesman said.

‘The Prime Minister made it clear that the UK is committed to finding practical solutions within the framework of the protocol which protect the aims of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and minimise the impact on the day-to-day lives of people in Northern Ireland.’

It comes after the world leaders from USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Canada arrived in Cornwall yesterday.

Later the Queen sent G7 leaders into fits of laughter when she quipped ‘are you supposed to look as if you’re enjoying yourself’ while posing for a photograph.