Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly expressed anger at Foreign Secretary Liz Truss over the Northern Ireland Protocol bill.
The Financial Times reported that tensions erupted at a cabinet meeting Wednesday as Johnson “attacked” Ms. Truss, according to reports.
Understandably, his anger involved Ms. Truss tightening some of the legislation under pressure from Eurosceptic Conservative MEPs, a source told the paper that Mr Johnson was instead seeking a “negotiated solution” with the European Union.
A number of cabinet ministers, including Chancellor Rishi Sunak, are also believed to have sought assurances that the legislation – expected to be introduced on Monday – does not violate international law and lead to a potential trade war with the EU.
Reports of a fight between cabinet members came after Tory MPs voted 211 to 148 in support of Mr Johnson on Monday.
Earlier, the government denied failing to consult with one of its senior legal advisers on plans to unilaterally remove elements of the protocol.
Mr Johnson rejected allegations that the first financial adviser, Sir James Idi, the government’s independent lawyer on key legal issues, had not been asked to comment on the controversial bill, which is due to be tabled in Westminster.
The government intends to use domestic law to repeal aspects of the post-Brexit agreements governing trade with the Irish Sea, which were jointly agreed by the United Kingdom and the EU as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Sky News reported that Sir James has not been consulted on whether the law would violate international law.
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood challenged Mr Johnson on the report during the mayor’s questions to the municipalities.
“I can tell him that the reports he saw this morning are not true,” Mr Johnson said.
“And what I can also tell him is that the most important commitment that I think everyone in this House has made is about the balance and symmetry of the Belfast / Good Friday agreement.
“This is our highest legal international priority and this is what we need to achieve.”
Downing Street said “several legal experts” were involved in the legislation, which has not yet been finalized.
“Obviously, the foreign minister has made it clear that this is legal in international law and that we will state our legal position in a timely manner,” a spokesman for the prime minister said.
“No final decision has been made on this. This is an important piece of legislation and we will take the time to rectify it. “
The United Kingdom is moving without the EU’s consent to change the terms of the protocol to reduce the checks it requires on the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland.
The dispute over the protocol led to political stalemate in Stormont, with the DUP blocking the re-establishment of delegated executive power until major changes were made to arrangements that party claims have weakened Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.
The Northern Ireland Peace Agreement of Good Friday / Belfast of 1998 contains provisions for the protection and development of relations both on the north / south base of the island of Ireland and on the east / west base between the island and the United Kingdom.
The DUP claims, and the government agrees, that the protocol has upset this “delicate balance” of unionist and nationalist aspirations by undermining East / West dynamics.
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