The European Union is considering legal action against the United Kingdom after it emerged that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration is set to press forward with plans to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The EU believes it may be able to mount a legal challenge before HM’s government manages to pass legislation changing parts of the Withdrawal Agreement struck last year relating to Northern Ireland, Ministers admit the move does breach international law in a “very specific and limited way.”
According to Bloomberg, a draft working paper prepared by Brussels and circulated to member states warns that the UK Internal Market Bill represents a “clear breach” of the agreement which would “open the way to legal remedies”.
The publication added that once the transition period ends, the EU could also trigger the dispute settlement mechanism contained in the deal, which could ultimately result in the UK being hit with financial sanctions.
The news follows the EU calls for emergency talks to try and salvage the post-Brexit negotiations; these talks are set for today (10/09/20).
Eric Mamer, chief spokesman of the EU Commission, wrote on Twitter: “The EU seeks clarifications from the UK on the full and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.”
Maros Sefcovic, Michael Gove’s counterpart on the UK-EU joint committee set up to implement Brexit, said he would hold an extraordinary meeting as soon as possible to address the bloc’s “strong concerns.”
Mr Sefcovic told reporters: “The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation and we expect the letter and the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement will be fully respected. I think on that we have to be very, very clear.”
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was “very concerned”after the Government published the Internal Market Bill, which she warned “breaks international law and undermines trust.”
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator landed in London yesterday with sources claiming he is set to confront the UK’s chief negotiator Lord Frost over the UK’s proposals to change parts of the deal relating to Northern Ireland.
Speaking yesterday at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “We need a legal safety net to protect our country against extreme or irrational interpretations of the protocol which could lead to a border down the Irish Sea which I believe…would be prejudicial to the interests of the Good Friday Agreement and prejudicial to the interests of peace in our country.”
[give_form id=”1772″ show_title=”false” show_goal=”false” show_content=”below” display_style=”modal”]
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
[sibwp_form id=4]
