David Cameron has joined all other living former prime ministers in expressing grave concerns about Boris Johnson’s plan to override the Brexit deal and break international law.
Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Mr Cameron said: “Passing an act of parliament and then going on to break an international treaty obligation is the very, very last thing you should contemplate. It should be an absolute final resort, so I do have misgivings about what is being proposed.”
Mr Cameron’s comments came after Geoffrey Cox, Boris Johnson’s former attorney general, urged ministers to use the “clear and lawful” options under the Withdrawal Agreement to remedy their concerns that food imports from Britain to Northern Ireland would be blocked.
Mr Cox, who backed Leave in the referendum campaign, said it was “unconscionable” that the UK should seek to break international law by rewriting the withdrawal agreement with the European Union.
Opposition to the Bill has been building among Conservatives since Brandon Lewis told MPs that the government planned to break the law. On Monday, Rehman Chisti, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, resigned as a government special envoy on what he called “a matter of principle”.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer announced that he is isolating after a family member showed possible signs of Covid-19 infection.
UK negotiating tactic has backfired, says Varadkar
Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s deputy leader, said the UK’s Brexit negotiating tactic has “backfired” as countries including the US are questioning future trade deals with Britain over the government’s controversial plan to break international law.
Mr Varadkar, who took part in crunch Brexit talks with Boris Johnson in Autumn 2019, said on Monday: “I think what they [UK government] have done – if it was a negotiating tactic – has now backfired.
“Countries all around the world, the United States and other countries, are wondering if this is the kind of place we can do any deal with or any treaty with.”
He added: “If the UK becomes a country that no longer obligates its treaties, that doesn’t respect international law, there is no country that is going to want to deal with them.
“I think they have made a mistake in this regard and I hope they will reconsider.”
Liam James14 September 2020 15:16
DUP leader to EU: Northern Ireland is not your ‘play thing’
Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, claimed the EU is using Northern Ireland as a “play thing” in response to a question regarding the Northern Ireland protocol of the Withdrawal Bill.
When asked about claims made by UK negotiator Lord Frost that the EU had raised the prospect of certain goods being blocked from entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, the Democratic Unionist Party leader told the Stormont Assembly: “The EU needs to stop using Northern Ireland to get their own way.
“We are not the play thing of the European Union and it causes great difficulties here in Northern Ireland when people use Northern Ireland in that fashion.”
Liam James14 September 2020 14:38
Lib Dem London mayoral candidate suspended after antisemitic video emerges
A Liberal Democrat candidate for the 2021 London mayoral election has been suspended by the party after footage emerged of her making antisemitic remarks.
A video from the 1997 general election campaign shows Geeta Sidhu Robb urging voters in Blackburn not to vote for her opponent Jack Straw on account of his being Jewish.
Ms Robb is seen shouting at voters through a megaphone: “Don’t vote for a Jew, Jack Straw is a Jew.”
Liam James14 September 2020 13:54
Johnson to open Commons debate on Internal Market Bill
Boris Johnson will open the debate on the Internal Market Bill in the House of Commons this afternoon, Downing Street has confirmed.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, will close the debate.
“The Bill will protect seamless trade and jobs in all four corners of the United Kingdom following the end of the transition period,” the spokesperson said.
“It will guarantee UK companies can trade unhindered in every part of the UK while maintaining world-leading standards for consumers and workers who rely on them.”
They added: “It will also provide a vital legal safety net, it removes any ambiguity should an agreement not be reached at the Joint Committee on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“It protects the integrity of the UK internal market, it ensures ministers can always deliver on their obligations to Northern Ireland and protects the gains from the peace process.
“It is therefore critical that we pass this legislation before the end of the year.”
Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 13:14
Damian Collins, the chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has added his name in support of an amendment to the Internal Market Bill by Sir Bob Neill.
The amendment would require a vote in the House of Commons before the government could disapply terms of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 13:03
European Commission reiterates Withdrawal Agreement cannot be altered
A spokesperson for the European Commission has reiterated that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be altered and insisted the EU has played a “straight bat” in negotiations so far.
“The Withdrawal Agreement is the underpinning, and it’s the framework for our relationship with the UK – no ifs, no buts,” they told a press briefing in Brussels.
“Questions relating to the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement are meant to be discussed and resolved in the Joint Committee.
“We have played a straight bat on this.”
The spokesperson added: “We have set this out extremely clearly, and the rest, frankly, is internal debate in the United Kingdom.
“We are not going to get involved in the comments and remarks that are made by different players.”
Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 12:45
Another Conservative MP has announced they will not be backing the government’s Internal Market Bill.
Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 12:34
Labour’s shadow justice secretary David Lammy has thanked Rehman Chishti for resigning over the UK government’s plans to override the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
Mr Lammy thanked the Tory MP for “staying true to [the] Professional Code of Conduct” by refusing to back the government’s proposal.
Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 12:29
PM’s special envoy resigns over Brexit Bill
A special envoy of Boris Johnson’s has resigned saying he “cannot support” the prime minister’s proposed legislation which would allow ministers to override the Withdrawal Bill.
Rehman Chishti, who sits as Conservative MP for Gillingham and Rainham and was the prime minister’s special envoy on freedom of religious belief, resigned “on a matter of principle” in opposition to the Internal Market Bill.
“I feel strongly about keeping the commitments we make; if we give our word, then we must honour it,” Mr Chishti said in his resignation letter to the prime minister.
“Voting for this Bill as it currently stands would be contrary to the values I hold dearest.”
Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 12:08
Keir Starmer isolating after family Covid scare
Sir Keir starmer has announced he is isolating after a family member started showing symptoms of Covid-19.
A spokesperson for the Labour leader said: “This morning Keir Starmer was advised to self isolate after a member of his household showed possible symptoms of the coronavirus.
“The member of his household has now had a test. In line with NHS guidelines, Keir will self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test and further advice from medical professionals.”
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Conrad Duncan14 September 2020 11:53
