No delay to Brexit deal shift – Truss

THE Foreign Secretary has defended controversial plans to scrap parts of the post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland, insisting the action to address the “very severe” situation in the region cannot be delayed.

The EU has threatened to retaliate with “all measures at its disposal” if the UK proceeds with new legislation overwriting sections of the Northern Ireland Protocol, as announced on Tuesday.

Liz Truss told the Commons she intends to bring forward the Bill within weeks, in an effort to reduce “unnecessary bureaucracy” and protect the Good Friday Agreement.

Asked about the move on Wednesday, she said it would be “very positive” if the UK and EU could negotiate a solution in parallel to the Bill’s progression through Parliament, and write this into the legislation.

But she said the plans to rewrite parts of the deal to address the “very severe” situation in the region cannot be delayed.

She told Times Radio: “I’m absolutely clear that we can’t delay delivering a solution in Northern Ireland. The situation is very severe.

“The Executive hasn’t been formed since February. And we’re only going to be able to get it back up and running, to get the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement working again, by delivering this solution.

“Now, if while we’re putting this legislation through we can get a negotiated solution with the EU, that would be very positive – we’d be able to put that into the legislation.

“But we’re not delaying the legislative process because it is urgent that we deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.”

Ms Truss has insisted the proposals to reform the deal are “consistent with our obligations in international law”.

She said she wants the EU to “come to the negotiating table” so a “pragmatic solution” can be agreed together. More details are expected to be set out in the coming weeks.