NI Protocol Truss reveals new law to dismantle parts of EU trade deal
THE UK Government has announced it will legislate to dismantle parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
MPS have warned the move risks starting a trade war with the European Union and breaks international law.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave a statement in the Commons yesterday, where she set out plans to lay new legislation “within weeks”. While vague on details as to how the new Bill will not break the law, Ms Truss assured parliamentarians it did not and the UK would fully comply with its legal agreements with the EU.
She said discussions would continue with the bloc and it would be the preferred way to come to an agreement about changes needed to the protocol.
On Monday Boris Johnson flew to Belfast to speak with the leaders of Stormont’s five main political parties, where he described the plans for legislation as an “insurance policy”.
The DUP has so far refused to form a power-sharing executive at Stormont with the largest party, Sinn Fein, unless the protocol is scrapped.
The party welcomed the proposals, which include green and red trading
lanes for goods being sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Goods intended for use only in Northern Ireland would be able to use the green channel, while others that are for onward transport into the EU single market would use the red channel and be subject to additional checks.
Ms Truss told MPS: “Regrettably, the Northern Ireland Executive has not been fully functioning since early February.
“This is because the Northern Ireland Protocol does not have the support necessary in one part of the community in Northern Ireland.
“I would also note that all of Northern Ireland’s political parties agree on the need for changes to the protocol.”
She said the legislation was needed to “make changes to the protocol”, adding: “Our preference remains a negotiated solution with the EU.
“In parallel with the legislation being introduced, we remain open to further talks if we can achieve the same outcome through negotiated settlement.
“I have invited [European Commision] vice-president [Maros] Šefcovic to a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee in London to discuss this as soon as possible.
“However, to respond to the very grave and serious situation in Northern Ireland we are clear there is a necessity to act to ensure the institutions can be restored as soon as possible.”
Some Conservative MPS were critical of the plans, including Simon Hoare, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee.
He said: “Respect for the rule of law runs deep in our Tory veins. I find it extraordinary that a Tory government needs to be reminded of that.
“Could [Ms Truss] assure me that support for and honouring of the rule of law is what she and the Government is committed to?”
Ms Truss replied: “I can assure [Mr Hoare] we are committed to upholding the rule of law, we’re clear that this Bill is legal in international law and we will set out the legal position in due course.”
The SNP’S Northern Ireland spokesman Richard Thomson said his party recognised the “hurt and upset” caused to many by the protocol, but warned the arrangement has consequences for the rest of the UK beyond Northern Ireland.
He called for a negotiated settlement, adding: “Threats of unilateral legislative action by this Government to override its own deal are very unlikely to be taken seriously in Belfast, they won’t be taken seriously in Brussels, and there’s absolutely no reason why it should be taken seriously in this place either.”
Labour shadow foreign office minister Stephen Doughty said the plans could impact any future trade deals the UK may want to strike up with other countries.
He said: “Britain should be a country that keeps its word.
“The rest of the world is looking at us and wondering if we are a country that they want to do business with.
“When we seek to negotiate new deals abroad, does the Government want to make other countries question whether we will keep our end of the bargain?”
He added the UK should be trying to collaborate with the EU “in support of Ukraine” rather than “fuelling divisions with our European allies”.
The prime Minister described the changes as “minor” and sought to play down the concerns about law breaking.
Mr Johnson said: “What that actually involves is getting rid of some relatively minor barriers to trade.
“I think there are good, common sense, pragmatic solutions. We need to work with our EU friends.”
The European Union has threatened to retaliate if the UK unilaterally legislates to change the protocol.
Mr Sefcovic warned that Brussels could retaliate. Should the UK proceed with the Bill, the EU will respond with “all measures at its disposal”, he said.
Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the action from the UK was “damaging to trust”.
He said: “At a time when people in Northern Ireland have chosen their elected representatives and want to get the Executive back up and running, the path chosen is of great concern.”
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the move was a “significant” step towards getting power-sharing in Northern Ireland back.
The Northern Ireland Executive has not been fully functioning since February