UK drops controversial clauses in Brexit bill which would break law

Michael Gove announced an 'agreement in principle on all issues'.

Britain has agreed to pull controversial clauses in a draft law that breach the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and could have seen the divorce deal torn up.

Senior minister Michael Gove announced an ‘agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland’.

In view of these ‘mutually-agreed solutions’, the UK will now withdraw clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the UK Internal Market Bill – which would have broken international law – and it won’t introduce similar provisions in the Taxation Bill.

The deal – which is separate to trade talks – will ensure that the Withdrawal Agreement is fully operational as of January 1.

It comes after progress was made in talks led by Michael Gove and European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said on a number of issues including the Irish border.

In a joint statement, they said: ‘Following intensive and constructive work over the past weeks by the EU and the UK, the two co-chairs can now announce their agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.’

The agreement covers issues including border checks on animal and plant products, the supply of medicines and deliveries of chilled meats and other food products to supermarkets.

There was also ‘clarification’ on the application of rules on state subsidies.

Yesterday in Westminster, MPs rejected amendments to the Internal Market Bill which would have prevented it from breaking the law.

The Bill previously passed through the House of Commons, but faced a tough time in the Lords, with peers adding a number of amendments.

One of these included removing the Government’s ability to override parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, by 357 votes to 268.

Downing Street said the section of the Bill was essential to protect the flow of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland if no deal with the EU is achieved.

But earlier this year, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis acknowledged the clauses would break international law in a ‘specific and limited way’.

With less than a month to go until the end of the Brexit transition period, the Prime Minister says the chances of a trade deal are ‘looking very, very difficult’.

Johnson wants a Canadian-style free trade agreement with the EU, but if he fails to get that deal the UK will trade in the same way Australia does. There will be no deal and tariffs will be imposed.

Now the PM set to head to Brussels for last ditch attempts to wrangle a deal with the bloc, following a 90 minute call with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Monday.

The pair agreed that ‘significant differences’ on governance, fisheries and a level playing field remain between them.

The European Commission said the call between had been ‘very cordial’ but no date had yet been fixed for their meeting in Brussels.

Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said the call had focused on the ‘sticking points’ in the negotiations.

There will be further discussions between the negotiating teams to draw up a list of the main obstacles which will be the subject of the forthcoming meeting between Johnson and the European Commission president.

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