Ex-premiers condemn bid by Johnson to break his word on Brexit deal

FORMER UK prime ministers John Major and Tony Blair have joined forces to condemn Boris Johnson’s attempt to pass controversial legislation which will overrule parts of his own Brexit deal and flout international law.

In a joint article for The Sunday Times, Mr Major and Mr Blair – one of the main architects of the peace process – called on Mr Johnson to drop the Bill now, claiming it risked peace in Northern Ireland by putting the Good Friday Agreement at risk.

They added it would damage

‘The government is shaming our nation’

trade talks with other nations, warning: ‘Once trust is undermined, distrust becomes prevalent.’

The two ex-premiers said: ‘As the world looks on aghast at the UK – the word of which was once accepted as inviolable – this government’s action is shaming itself and embarrassing our nation.’

Foreign Minister Simon Coveney would not comment yesterday on a statement by Mr Johnson that he would not hand Brussels the power to ‘carve up our country’. However, he is due to appear on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show this morning when he is expected to respond robustly to the latest move by the British government, which makes a no-deal Brexit increasingly likely.

Earlier yesterday, Tory peer David Trimble – who as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party received the Nobel Prize jointly with the late John Hume for their part in the peace talks – defended the UK government’s actions. He told Times Radio: ‘There’s nothing unusual about the Government acting unilaterally and that is what this legislation is.’

Mr Trimble added: ‘The EU has had powers to impose really ghastly things on us ever since we joined… We gave the European Union power to legislate over our heads and I think... they’re taking out insurance so they’re able to stop it if ever [EU negotiator] Michel Barnier goes rogue.’

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was not optimistic that a deal could be reached between the UK and the EU, admitting the Government was preparing for the prospect of a no-deal Brexit. ‘Trust has been eroded,’ he added.

Meanwhile, UK cabinet ministers have been handed a Brexit ‘lexicon’ to keep them on message with Boris Johnson’s new get-tough tactics with Brussels, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

A confidential crib sheet, marked ‘Official – Sensitive’, tells them precisely what words and expressions to use – even telling them to stop saying ‘Brexit’ because that has now been achieved.

The memo, dated September 8, says the word can now be used only ‘as a historical event that took place on January 31, 2020’.

But it also seeks to contrast Mr Johnson’s tougher approach with predecessor Theresa May’s – by ordering ministers not to repeat her preferred ‘deep and special partnership’ description of Britain’s future relationship with the EU.

Instead, they are told to stress that ‘the EU will be one of many partners. Stick to the phrase “friendly co-operation between sovereign equals” ’.

‘UK cabinet told to stay on message’