Just wait till PM hears what fool signed the treaty..
BORIS Johnson says controversial plans to rip up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol are “not a big deal” and do not break international law.
The Prime Minister claimed that legislation published yesterday was “trivial”, despite warnings it could kick off a trade war with the European Union.
Irish PM Micheal Martin claimed the proposals represented “a low point” in post-Brexit relations. Many Tory MPs say they will damage the UK’s international standing. Ministers will get power to override parts of the protocol, agreed by the PM in his “oven-ready” Brexit deal to keep the Irish land border flowing.
It currently requires checks and customs declarations on goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland.
Downing Street called the plans an “insurance mechanism” in case an agreement with the EU could not be found.
Green and red channels would be set up to remove extra paperwork for firms trading in the UK but with full checks on goods entering the EU. Firms can choose to apply UK or EU rules on goods.
Most controversially, disputes would go to independent arbitration, not the European Court.
The DUP will not enter power-sharing at Stormont until the issue is resolved.
Mr Johnson said: “It creates unnecessary barriers on trade east-west. What we can do is fix that. It’s not a big deal.”
Ministers have said the protocol is a threat to the Good Friday Agreement.
Ireland accused the Government of trying to “ratchet up tensions”. The plan was condemned as “reckless” in Stormont.
But Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the protocol had “damaged the balance” between nationalists and unionists. The EU said it will look at restarting legal action against the UK and there will be no renegotiation of the protocol.
Signature heralds a new chapter in our nation’s history
PM on Jan 24, 2020 on the withdrawal agreement, containing the NI protocol It creates unnecessary barriers on trade
PM on NI protocol yesterday