Boris Johnson has defended government legislation that does not implement parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which will face its first hurdle in the House of Commons on Monday.
Speaking in Bavaria, where he attended the G7 summit, the prime minister said: “What we are trying to do is to fix something that I think is very important for our country, namely the balance of the Belfast agreement. Good Friday. ”
He added: “You have a community that thinks things don’t really work the way they like or understand. You have unnecessary barriers to trade from the UK to Northern Ireland. All we are saying is that you can get rid of them without endangering the EU single market in any way.
He suggested that the changes that the bill would make possible could be introduced by the end of this year.
MEPs will have their first chance to vote on the bill later Monday. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has put the UK on the verge of clashing with the EU, continuing with legislation that will allow ministers to repeal parts of the agreement signed by Johnson in 2019.
The foreign minister set out his position in an article in the Financial Times on Monday. She said there was “simple logic” to continue, despite claims that the legislation would violate the free trade agreement that the United Kingdom has signed with the EU.
“We are continuing with legislation to correct the specific problems that the protocol is causing, while maintaining those parts that work. This is both necessary and legal. All other options under the current EU mandate are currently exhausted, “she said.
However, some conservatives plan to object to the law on the grounds that it violates the rule of law. When Truss introduced him to Parliament last month, Simon Hoare, chairman of the Northern Ireland Selection Committee, told her: “Respect for the rule of law runs deep in our Tories. I find it extraordinary that the Tory government needs to be reminded of this. “
Sign up for First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BST
The bill will create a “green channel”, without checks, for goods passing from Britain to Northern Ireland that are not destined for the republic; allow products to be sold in Northern Ireland under EU or UK rules; and to give UK ministers more power to change tax and spending policies in Northern Ireland.
The EU has repeatedly speculated that its own proposals would resolve many of the worst delays on the Irish border, accusing the United Kingdom of not committing properly.
Speaking on Sunday, EU Ambassador to the United Kingdom Joao Valle de Almeida called Truss’s legislation “illegal and unrealistic.” The EU responded by resuming legal action against the United Kingdom over the protocol.
The United Kingdom has said the law will not violate international law, based on the fact that the protocol currently in force threatens the Good Friday Agreement.
The DUP refused to participate in the power-sharing in Stormont unless the issue is resolved with the protocol – although it is unclear whether the bill will satisfy the party’s demands.
The law is expected to cross its first hurdle in the House of Commons on Monday, but is likely to face strong opposition in the House of Lords, which has defeated the government several times in recent months.
Add Comment