Boris holds his ground over Protocol as threat to leadership remains
EMBATTLED Boris Johnson will face down Brussels this week with controversial measures to override a key element of the Brexit deal.
A week after four out of 10 Conservative MPS refused to back him in a confidence vote, the Prime Minister is set to go on the offensive with new legislation aimed at removing obstacles to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It comes amid warnings the threat to Mr Johnson over lockdown rule breaking is far from over and he will enter the “danger zone” in just a few months when the privileges committee rules on whether he misled the Commons.
The Government’s bold proposals to “fix” the fiercely controversial Northern Ireland Protocol could trigger a fresh row with the EU and spark rebellions in Parliament.
But he is determined to rescue the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has refused to join until its objections to the Protocol are addressed.
It was drawn up to avoid the need for a customs border on the island of Ireland but it has been blamed for damaging trade with Great Britain and diminishing the province’s status in the UK.
A senior government source said: “There are those who favour never-ending negotiation with the EU but we can’t allow this to drift any longer. Protecting peace and stability in Northern Ireland is too important.
“It’s time for decisive action to fix the Protocol so that we can get trade flowing, restore power-sharing at Stormont and ensure that UK courts, not the European Court of Justice, are sovereign.
“We’re still open to a deal with the EU if they change their position but we won’t shirk from our duty to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and the peace process.”
Full details of the proposals will be unveiled this week in Parliament.
Another source praised the role of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, saying: “She is the one in government who has really grasped the nettle and whipped this legislation into shape. She gets difficult things done.”
A new confrontation with Brussels could stir memories of Mr Johnson’s determination to “get Brexit done” in the run-up to his landslide victory in the 2019 election.
This week he is expected to face demands to deliver on his levelling up promises at a gathering of the Northern Research Group of Tory MPS at Doncaster Racecourse.
An NRG source said “pressure will be on to deliver for the Red Wall, with talk of an early election gathering pace”. A series of “asks” will be put forward on issues including the cost of living, education and devolving more power away from Westminster.
In Westminster itself, supporters of the Prime Minister are braced for more Partygate turmoil.
One senior Tory warned: “It’s going to get much worse.”
They expect Mr
Johnson will enter “the real danger zone” when the privileges committee delivers its verdict on whether he misled MPS in statements about gatherings in Downing Street.
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis described the stage when the committee reports as “the point of danger”.
He said: “They will make a decision as to whether he knowingly misled the House. That’s the key question.
“If they find the answer to that is Yes, then that’s an automatic resignation under the ministerial code.”
The report is not expected until the autumn and before then, the Conservatives face the challenge of holding on to Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton in the June 23 by-elections.
But a former supporter of Mr Johnson said he expected the PM would be gone in three to five months, saying: “The curtain is about to come down.”