EU made a 'serious mistake!' Michael Gove blasts Brussels and says 'trust has been eroded' - Daily Express

Michael Gove addressed the trading bloc's stunning decision in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told Westminster that trust has been "eroded" between the UK and the EU as a result of the triggering of Article 16, despite the trading bloc later reversing the decision. 

The Conservative MP said regarding the EU's decision to trigger Article 16: "It is important to be clear on what was proposed.

"Not only plans to stop vaccine being delivered through legally binding contracts at the height of a pandemic.

"But also and critically a unilateral suspension of the painstakingly designed and negotiated provisions of the protocol.

"Which the EU has always maintained is critical in safeguarding the gains of the Northern Ireland peace protest.

READ MORE: EU on brink as 'poor vaccine distribution' may be 'nail in coffin'

"Article 16 exists for good reasons but it is meant to be invoked only after notification and only after all other options are exhausted and in the interest of the people of Northern Ireland.

"None of these conditions were met."

Mr Gove added: "Trust has been eroded, damaged has been done and urgent action is therefore needed."

Earlier on Tuesday, the European Union's ambassador to the UK admitted that the trading bloc made a "mistake" by triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol in a bid to stop vaccines from getting to the UK.

"It is no longer there so let’s move on.

"I want to be very clear to our Northern Ireland friends, the EU is a main support of the Good Friday Agreement."

Sky News' Sam Coates asked: "

You would say don’t activate Article 16 in order to get rid of the border in the Irish Sea?"

The EU ambassador replied: "Article 16 is a measure of last resort and it should only be activated in particular circumstances."

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2021-02-02 13:00:00Z
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