UK 'behaving in extraordinary way' over Brexit - BBC News

Related Topics

• Brexit

Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the UK government is behaving in an "extraordinary way" over Brexit.

His comments come in response to the Internal Markets Bill which has been proposed by Boris Johnson's government.

The bill would go against the Withdrawal Agreement, signed by the UK and EU earlier this year.

Despite this, Mr Coveney said a free trade deal was still a possibility.

Speaking to BBC's Andrew Marr programme, he suggested it would be difficult for trade talks between the two sides to continue if the Internal Markets Bill passes through parliament.

• Blair and Major urge MPs to reject Brexit bill

"How then can the EU proceed with these negotiations, and put a new agreement in place, which will be the basis for a new relationship, if existing agreements, which aren't even a year old, are being legislated against?" he said.

Boris Johnson has said the European Union is threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Mr Coveney rejected the suggestion that the EU's position on having a customs border between Northern Ireland and Britain had hardened after the agreement was signed, calling this a "completely bogus argument".

image copyrightAFP

He noted the agreement had been hailed as a "negotiating triumph" at the time by the UK, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had called an election after it was signed.

Mr Coveney said the UK government's actions had created "enormous tension" in the negotiations in the "very little time left to get a deal".

Prime Minister Johnson has said an agreement on trade must be done by 15 October, to be ready in time for the conclusion of the transition period at the end of this year.

"In my view it is possible to get a trade agreement, it will probably be a basic, pretty thin trade agreement, but it is possible to do that," said Mr Coveney.

"We can do a deal that prevents tariffs and quotas being imposed on trade between the UK and the EU and the UK and Ireland in the future."

'Completely outrageous'

On Sunday, Alliance MP Stephen Farry said the UK's admission it could breach international law was "completely outrageous" and that the proposed legislation could be damaging to Northern Ireland.

During the week, Boris Johnson said part of the reason for the Internal Markets Bill was to protect the the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland peace process.

Mr Farry said the suggestion that the legislation was being put forward for "the benefit of Northern Ireland is completely spurious" and that "we have the protocol for a very genuine reason".

"There was a need to protect the very particular circumstances here in Northern Ireland, especially around the Good Friday Agreement," he said.

"It is deeply disconcerting to see how that agreement is being twisted to suit the agenda of the hard Brexiteers."

On Sunday, former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major urged Parliament to reject Boris Johnson's attempt to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Sir John and Mr Blair - former Conservative and Labour prime ministers respectively - said the government's actions were "irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice"

The DUP's East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson dismissed their claims as "nonsense", but said his party will table amendments to the Internal Markets Bill.

Related Topics

More on this story

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiMGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLWV1cm9wZS01NDEzNzY0OdIBNGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FtcC93b3JsZC1ldXJvcGUtNTQxMzc2NDk?oc=5

2020-09-13 10:10:00Z
52781052316363

Brexit: Controversial bill has 'damaged trust', Irish minister tells Sky News - Sky News

Boris Johnson's Brexit proposals have "damaged trust" and set back talks on a trade deal with the EU, an Irish minister has told Sky News.

The backlash to the prime minister's Internal Market Bill is continuing, with former prime ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair joining the chorus of criticism.

The government has admitted the Brexit bill, which will be debated by MPs this coming week amid a possible Tory rebellion, breaks international law.

Justice secretary defends PM's Brexit strategy

It overrides parts of the EU divorce deal and has sparked fury in Brussels, which has threatened legal action over what it considers a violation of an international treaty.

Michel Barnier, the EU's Brexit negotiator, has said the Northern Ireland protocol element of the withdrawal agreement "is not a threat to the integrity of the UK".

Advertisement

"We agreed this delicate compromise with Boris Johnson and his government in order to protect peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

"We could not have been clearer about the consequences of Brexit."

More from Brexit

Ireland's justice secretary Helen McEntee told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that events this week have "certainly set us back".

She said the push from Mr Johnson to override parts of the Brexit deal he negotiated with Brussels last year has "damaged trust".

"It's caused a lot of confusion. I think it has, in some way, damaged trust between both sides," Ms McEntee told Sky News.

"It's very difficult to see how you can negotiate a free trade agreement when what has already been agreed is being proposed to be breached less than nine months later."

Irish prime minister Micheal Martin said the EU was "united in calling for full implementation of the withdrawal agreement/protocol", adding: "International law and agreements must be honoured."

But justice secretary Robert Buckland defended the prime minister's strategy, saying: "This isn't something we do lightly, this isn't something that we actually want to use, this is something that a responsible government does in order to prepare for the worst.

"But can I reiterate our steely determination to get a deal."

PM faces backbench rebellion over Brexit deal

Mr Buckland twice avoided the question when asked if he would resign if the government does not abide by the rule of law.

He also claimed that what the PM was proposing was in accordance with "the most honourable traditions of the British state" which he said was to "alert everyone to a possibility of a problem, to actually legislate to prepare ourselves domestically for that".

Mr Buckland rejected comparisons between the government's plans and breaking criminal law, describing them as "wholly misplaced".

"What we're talking about here is intricate international law arrangements," he said.

Gove on Brexit: 'We operate within rule of law'

"I can reassure the Irish government I can reassure all friends in Europe that all we're seeking to do is prepare the ground domestically if things are not resolved."

The justice secretary later told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that "if I see the rule of law being broken in a way I find unacceptable then of course I will go".

But he added: "I don't believe we're going to get to that stage."

Labour's shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Louise Haigh said the legislation was "seriously undermining and jeopardising" the chances of a trade deal with the EU.

'Govt are undermining a free trade agreement'

She told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "This is the last thing the country needs right now.

"As we're attempting to respond to COVID and cope with economic recovery, what we need is a deal with the European Union that protects our trading relationship, protects businesses, protects jobs and protects jobs in Northern Ireland.

"What Boris Johnson is doing is risking all of that and as I say, it is the very last thing the country needs at this critical moment."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2JyZXhpdC1jb250cm92ZXJzaWFsLWJpbGwtaGFzLWRhbWFnZWQtdHJ1c3QtaXJpc2gtbWluaXN0ZXItdGVsbHMtc2t5LW5ld3MtMTIwNzA2OTPSAXFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvYnJleGl0LWNvbnRyb3ZlcnNpYWwtYmlsbC1oYXMtZGFtYWdlZC10cnVzdC1pcmlzaC1taW5pc3Rlci10ZWxscy1za3ktbmV3cy0xMjA3MDY5Mw?oc=5

2020-09-13 09:22:30Z
52781052316363

Brexit: Controversial bill has 'damaged trust', Irish minister tells Sky News - Sky News

Boris Johnson's Brexit proposals have "damaged trust" and set back talks on a trade deal with the EU, an Irish minister has told Sky News.

The backlash to the prime minister's Internal Market Bill is continuing, with former prime ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair joining the chorus of criticism.

The government has admitted the Brexit bill, which will be debated by MPs this coming week amid a possible Tory rebellion, breaks international law.

Justice secretary defends PM's Brexit strategy

It overrides parts of the EU divorce deal and has sparked fury in Brussels, which has threatened legal action over what it considers a violation of an international treaty.

Michel Barnier, the EU's Brexit negotiator, has said the Northern Ireland protocol element of the withdrawal agreement "is not a threat to the integrity of the UK".

Advertisement

"We agreed this delicate compromise with Boris Johnson and his government in order to protect peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

"We could not have been clearer about the consequences of Brexit."

More from Brexit

Ireland's justice secretary Helen McEntee told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that events this week have "certainly set us back".

She said the push from Mr Johnson to override parts of the Brexit deal he negotiated with Brussels last year has "damaged trust".

"It's caused a lot of confusion. I think it has, in some way, damaged trust between both sides," Ms McEntee told Sky News.

"It's very difficult to see how you can negotiate a free trade agreement when what has already been agreed is being proposed to be breached less than nine months later."

Irish prime minister Micheal Martin said the EU was "united in calling for full implementation of the withdrawal agreement/protocol", adding: "International law and agreements must be honoured."

But justice secretary Robert Buckland defended the prime minister's strategy, saying: "This isn't something we do lightly, this isn't something that we actually want to use, this is something that a responsible government does in order to prepare for the worst.

"But can I reiterate our steely determination to get a deal."

PM faces backbench rebellion over Brexit deal

Mr Buckland twice avoided the question when asked if he would resign if the government does not abide by the rule of law.

He also claimed that what the PM was proposing was in accordance with "the most honourable traditions of the British state" which he said was to "alert everyone to a possibility of a problem, to actually legislate to prepare ourselves domestically for that".

Mr Buckland rejected comparisons between the government's plans and breaking criminal law, describing them as "wholly misplaced".

"What we're talking about here is intricate international law arrangements," he said.

"I can reassure the Irish government I can reassure all friends in Europe that all we're seeking to do is prepare the ground domestically if things are not resolved."

Gove on Brexit: 'We operate within rule of law'

Labour's shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Louise Haigh said the legislation was "seriously undermining and jeopardising" the chances of a trade deal with the EU.

She told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "This is the last thing the country needs right now.

"As we're attempting to respond to COVID and cope with economic recovery, what we need is a deal with the European Union that protects our trading relationship, protects businesses, protects jobs and protects jobs in Northern Ireland.

"What Boris Johnson is doing is risking all of that and as I say, it is the very last thing the country needs at this critical moment."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2JyZXhpdC1jb250cm92ZXJzaWFsLWJpbGwtaGFzLWRhbWFnZWQtdHJ1c3QtaXJpc2gtbWluaXN0ZXItdGVsbHMtc2t5LW5ld3MtMTIwNzA2OTPSAXFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvYnJleGl0LWNvbnRyb3ZlcnNpYWwtYmlsbC1oYXMtZGFtYWdlZC10cnVzdC1pcmlzaC1taW5pc3Rlci10ZWxscy1za3ktbmV3cy0xMjA3MDY5Mw?oc=5

2020-09-13 08:59:30Z
52781052316363

Coronavirus: Large parties shut down overnight by police as people enjoy weekend of revelry before new COVID rules - Sky News

Police have shut down a series of illegal parties overnight as people enjoyed a final weekend of revelry before tougher coronavirus restrictions come into force.

With hours until the "rule of six" takes effect, Greater Manchester Police said it had halted illegal gatherings at properties in Altrincham and Flixton on Saturday night, along with a gathering of around 70 people in Mottram.

Fixed penalty notices were issued at each of the incidents, which breached existing bans on groups of more than 30 meeting.

Image: People enjoying a night out in Soho

Officers had earlier attended a gathering of 45 people in Stockport, and another at an address in north Manchester they had been called to on two previous occasions.

Meanwhile, large numbers of people flocked to bars and pubs in cities across the UK despite rising numbers of coronavirus cases, with pictures showing groups making the most of the warm weekend weather.

Advertisement

That came after Nottinghamshire Police issued a "reckless" teenager with a £10,000 fine for hosting a house party in Lenton, which saw more than 50 guests gather at a home on Harlaxton Drive.

:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

More from Covid-19

If the 19-year-old man fails to pay or contests the fine he will appear before a court, the force said.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper, from Nottinghamshire Police, said anyone considering hosting parties ahead of the changes on Monday - when social gatherings in England will be limited to groups of six people both indoors and outdoors - should think again or face the consequences.

"We need to all remember we are very much still in the middle of a global pandemic and we all need to take responsibility for our actions," he said.

Image: Figures on Saturday showed another 3,497 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the UK

"I want to send out a clear message to anyone who is thinking of deliberately hosting parties tonight or tomorrow night ahead of the rules changing to please not do this.

"As we have demonstrated here we are not afraid to use the full powers we have and we will not tolerate those who deliberately put other people's lives in danger."

The chairman of the Police Federation had previously warned the public against having a "party weekend" before the stricter social gatherings rules come into force.

Image: People sing and dance as they watch a street performer in Leicester Square

Government figures showed on Saturday that another 3,497 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.

The number of new infections was a 36% increase on last Saturday, when 2,594 new cases were reported nationwide.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMikwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1sYXJnZS1wYXJ0aWVzLXN0b3JtZWQtb3Zlcm5pZ2h0LWJ5LXBvbGljZS1hcy1wZW9wbGUtZW5qb3ktd2Vla2VuZC1vZi1yZXZlbHJ5LWJlZm9yZS1uZXctY292aWQtcnVsZXMtMTIwNzA2MzfSAZcBaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWxhcmdlLXBhcnRpZXMtc3Rvcm1lZC1vdmVybmlnaHQtYnktcG9saWNlLWFzLXBlb3BsZS1lbmpveS13ZWVrZW5kLW9mLXJldmVscnktYmVmb3JlLW5ldy1jb3ZpZC1ydWxlcy0xMjA3MDYzNw?oc=5

2020-09-13 08:02:40Z
52781058847589

Brexit: Tony Blair and John Major urge MPs to reject bill - BBC News

Former prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have urged parliament to reject Boris Johnson's "shameful" attempt to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The PM has said the European Union is threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Mr Blair and Sir John have accused the government of "embarrassing" the UK.

The Internal Market Bill will be debated in the Commons on Monday.

The bill would go against the Withdrawal Agreement signed by the UK and EU.

It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - the part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.

If the bill becomes law it would give UK ministers powers to modify or "disapply" rules relating to the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland that will come into force from 1 January, if the UK and EU are unable to strike a trade deal.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Sir John and Mr Blair - former Conservative and Labour prime ministers respectively - said the government's actions were "irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice".

"It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal - crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation," they said.

The former leaders said that respecting treaty obligations was "just as important" as domestic law, and called for MPs to reject the legislation.

"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," they added.

Analysis

By Leila Nathoo, political correspondent

Tony Blair and Sir John Major say Boris Johnson knew the full consequences of the Brexit divorce deal he struck it with Brussels last year - that new barriers to trade would arise between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

They say the government's plans to now override parts of the deal would imperil the Good Friday Agreement, undermine the UK's credibility in future trade deals and could prompt a damaging retaliation from the EU.

They accuse ministers of embarrassing the UK, by negotiating with what they call "cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy" - an approach they say questions the very integrity of the nation.

Their intervention is, however, unlikely to sway Mr Johnson, who's insisted the Internal Market Bill is a necessary safety net to protect the union and peace process - and has defied EU demands to withdraw the contentious clauses before the end of the month.

The prime minister's appealed to MPs to back the legislation - his predecessors say it's Parliament's job to stop his plan going any further.

The PM urged Conservative MPs on Friday to back the bill during a Zoom call, following concerns about his proposals.

The EU has warned the UK it could face legal action if it does not ditch controversial elements of the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month.

Ministers have sought to defend the government's plans, with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove saying the proposals were a means of protecting the "integrity" of the UK.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded the bill would break international law, but "in a very specific and limited way".

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has accused the PM of "reigniting old rows" by working to override his own Withdrawal Agreement.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the Labour leader said his party could back the Internal Market Bill if the government addressed "the substantial cross-party concerns that have been raised".

But in order to win Labour's support, the bill would need to no longer risk breaching international law and address devolved administrations' concerns of a "power grab".

"We should be getting on with defeating this virus, not banging on about Europe," Sir Keir said. "Get on with Brexit and defeat the virus. That should be the government's mantra."

• TASTE AND SMELL: How are they connected?
• RETURN TO FILMING: How has filming EastEnders changed?

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MTM1MjMx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MTM1MjMx?oc=5

2020-09-13 05:37:50Z
52781052316363

Brexit: Tony Blair and John Major urge MPs to reject bill - BBC News

Former prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have urged parliament to reject Boris Johnson's "shameful" attempt to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The PM has said the European Union is threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Mr Blair and Sir John have accused the government of "embarrassing" the UK.

The Internal Market Bill will be debated in the Commons on Monday.

The bill would go against the Withdrawal Agreement signed by the UK and EU.

It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - the part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.

If the bill becomes law it would give UK ministers powers to modify or "disapply" rules relating to the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland that will come into force from 1 January, if the UK and EU are unable to strike a trade deal.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Sir John and Mr Blair - former Conservative and Labour prime ministers respectively - said the government's actions were "irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice".

"It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal - crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation," they said.

The former leaders said that respecting treaty obligations was "just as important" as domestic law, and called for MPs to reject the legislation.

"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," they added.

Analysis

By Leila Nathoo, political correspondent

Tony Blair and Sir John Major say Boris Johnson knew the full consequences of the Brexit divorce deal he struck it with Brussels last year - that new barriers to trade would arise between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

They say the government's plans to now override parts of the deal would imperil the Good Friday Agreement, undermine the UK's credibility in future trade deals and could prompt a damaging retaliation from the EU.

They accuse ministers of embarrassing the UK, by negotiating with what they call "cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy" - an approach they say questions the very integrity of the nation.

Their intervention is, however, unlikely to sway Mr Johnson, who's insisted the Internal Market Bill is a necessary safety net to protect the union and peace process - and has defied EU demands to withdraw the contentious clauses before the end of the month.

The prime minister's appealed to MPs to back the legislation - his predecessors say it's parliament's job to stop his plan going any further.

The PM urged Conservative MPs on Friday to back the bill during a Zoom call, following concerns about his proposals.

The EU has warned the UK it could face legal action if it does not ditch controversial elements of the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month.

Ministers have sought to defend the government's plans, with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove saying the proposals were a means of protecting the "integrity" of the UK.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded the bill would break international law, but "in a very specific and limited way".

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has accused the PM of "reigniting old rows" by working to override his own Withdrawal Agreement.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the Labour leader said his party could back the Internal Market Bill if the government addressed "the substantial cross-party concerns that have been raised".

But in order to win Labour's support, the bill would need to no longer risk breaching international law and address devolved administrations' concerns of a "power grab".

"We should be getting on with defeating this virus, not banging on about Europe," Sir Keir said. "Get on with Brexit and defeat the virus. That should be the government's mantra."

• TASTE AND SMELL: How are they connected?
• RETURN TO FILMING: How has filming EastEnders changed?

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MTM1MjMx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MTM1MjMx?oc=5

2020-09-13 04:37:48Z
52781052316363

Brexit: Tony Blair and John Major urge MPs to reject bill - BBC News

Former prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have urged parliament to reject Boris Johnson's "shameful" attempt to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The PM has said the European Union is threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Mr Blair and Sir John have accused the government of "embarrassing" the UK.

The Internal Market Bill will be debated in the Commons on Monday.

The bill would go against the Withdrawal Agreement signed by the UK and EU.

It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - the part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.

If the bill becomes law it would give UK ministers powers to modify or "disapply" rules relating to the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland that will come into force from 1 January, if the UK and EU are unable to strike a trade deal.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Sir John and Mr Blair - former Conservative and Labour prime ministers respectively - said the government's actions were "irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice".

"It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal - crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation," they said.

The former leaders said that respecting treaty obligations was "just as important" as domestic law, and called for MPs to reject the legislation.

"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," they added.

Analysis

By Leila Nathoo, political correspondent

Tony Blair and Sir John Major say Boris Johnson knew the full consequences of the Brexit divorce deal he struck it with Brussels last year - that new barriers to trade would arise between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

They say the government's plans to now override parts of the deal would imperil the Good Friday Agreement, undermine the UK's credibility in future trade deals and could prompt a damaging retaliation from the EU.

They accuse ministers of embarrassing the UK, by negotiating with what they call "cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy" - an approach they say questions the very integrity of the nation.

Their intervention is, however, unlikely to sway Mr Johnson, who's insisted the Internal Market Bill is a necessary safety net to protect the union and peace process - and has defied EU demands to withdraw the contentious clauses before the end of the month.

The prime minister's appealed to MPs to back the legislation - his predecessors say it's parliament's job to stop his plan going any further.

The PM urged Conservative MPs on Friday to back the bill during a Zoom call, following concerns about his proposals.

The EU has warned the UK it could face legal action if it does not ditch controversial elements of the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month.

Ministers have sought to defend the government's plans, with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove saying the proposals were a means of protecting the "integrity" of the UK.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded the bill would break international law, but "in a very specific and limited way".

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has accused the PM of "reigniting old rows" by working to override his own Withdrawal Agreement.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the Labour leader said his party could back the Internal Market Bill if the government addressed "the substantial cross-party concerns that have been raised".

But in order to win Labour's support, the bill would need to no longer risk breaching international law and address devolved administrations' concerns of a "power grab".

"We should be getting on with defeating this virus, not banging on about Europe," Sir Keir said. "Get on with Brexit and defeat the virus. That should be the government's mantra."

• TASTE AND SMELL: How are they connected?
• RETURN TO FILMING: How has filming EastEnders changed?

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MTM1MjMx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MTM1MjMx?oc=5

2020-09-13 03:34:31Z
52781052316363