The European Commission has reminded the UK government that the Brexit deal is a “binding” legal obligation after a Conservative prime minister said we did not need to stick to the agreement.
Jacob Rees-Mogg told a committee of MPs on Wednesday that it was “nonsense” that the UK should abide by the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which the government has negotiated and ratified as part of its exit from the European Union.
An EU executive spokesman responded to the attack on Friday, telling reporters in Brussels on Friday that “the withdrawal agreement, the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland are legal obligations to which the United Kingdom is bound.”
Mr Rees-Mogg, Boris Johnson’s minister for Brexit opportunities, told a hearing of the EU’s parliamentary control committee: “Many comments that say: ‘Well, we have signed it and therefore we must certainly accept it for locking, storage and barrel. ‘ This is absolute nonsense.
“We signed it on the grounds that it would be reformed. And there comes a time when you say, “Well, you haven’t reformed it, and that’s why we’re reforming it ourselves.” And the United Kingdom is far more important than any agreement we have with any foreign power. “
On Friday morning, the Financial Times further reported that Boris Johnson was preparing to present laws repealing parts of the Brexit agreement in the statue of the United Kingdom.
The powers are expected to be included in the queen’s speech next month and are likely to provoke a new political conflict with Brussels. Some trade unionists are irritated that the protocol requires friction in trade between Britain and Northern Ireland, although studies show that the agreement generally has the support of the people there.
Asked about the reports, a European Commission spokesman told reporters in Brussels: “It will come as no surprise that we have no comment on press releases or unnamed sources or other comments. I think more generally, I can just repeat what we have said several times in this press room: that we are fully committed to working with the UK Government to find lasting solutions for Northern Ireland in order to achieve lasting security and predictability for people and businesses in Northern Ireland.
“Only joint decisions can do this: jointly agreed decisions. And if you look at it, this approach works. Just a few days ago, we reached the decision on medicines for Northern Ireland, which was agreed in a record short time. It is important to emphasize this.
“As you know, last October we came up with a number of serious, comprehensive solutions for Northern Ireland. We have been working on them ever since, and we intend to continue working on these decisions with the United Kingdom in the coming weeks. obligations to which the United Kingdom is as bound as we are. “
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April 22, 2022
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April 18, 2022
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April 14, 2022
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April 13, 2022
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April 12, 2022
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April 11, 2022
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April 10, 2022
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April 9, 2022
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April 8, 2022
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April 7, 2022
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April 6, 2022
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April 5, 2022
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April 4, 2022
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April 3, 2022
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April 2, 2022
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April 1, 2022
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March 31, 2022
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March 30, 2022
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March 29, 2022
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March 28, 2022
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March 27, 2022
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March 26, 2022
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March 25, 2022
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March 24, 2022
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March 23, 2022
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March 22, 2022
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March 21, 2022
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March 20, 2022
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March 19, 2022
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