Boris Johnson Spars With EU Over Northern Ireland Protocol

After weeks of delay, the government is due to finally publish its draft legislation to override substantial portions of the protocol in Northern Ireland, bringing Brexit back to life, Matt Mathers wrote for The Independent.

Photo Insert: London is taking a much tougher stance toward Brussels as Boris Johnson makes concessions to the right of his party in an attempt to reclaim his shot authority following last week's damaging confidence vote.

Ministers are expected to outline plans to remove checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom via the so-called "green lane," as well as provisions on governance, the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and state aid.

On June 12, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told broadcasters that he was confident the bill would not violate international law and that the government would publish an overview of the legal advice it had received to support its position.

“The legality of the UK’s bid to take unilateral action on the Brexit deal it agreed with the EU has been the subject of much consternation in recent days. And No. 10 is now being urged by opposition parties to reveal the secret sources behind said legal advice.”

Peter Kyle, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, called on the UK Prime minister to release the legal advice it received with “transparency about its origins.”

The bill's provisions indicate that London is taking a much tougher stance toward Brussels, as Boris Johnson makes concessions to the right of his party in an attempt to reclaim his shot authority following last week's damaging confidence vote.

The firmer Brexit stance, as well as the news that most of the "green crap" is being cut from today's food strategy (in part due to opposition from emboldened and increasingly vocal backbenchers), suggests that, as a result of the confidence vote, one wheel of the "trolley" has been permanently damaged, allowing it to veer in only one direction.

Some Westminster observers believe the legislation is being used solely to strengthen London's bargaining position. If the government goes ahead, it may pass through the Commons (there will be a significant rebellion among Tory MPs on the left of the party), but it will face stiff opposition in the Lords, not to mention legal action from the EU.

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