LONDON – The United Kingdom is on fire at home and abroad, saying it is ready to break international law by violating the terms of a treaty to leave the European Union.
And senior Democrats have warned that in the run-up to John Biden’s victory in the November presidential election, the UK’s response to Brexit has led to fears of an impact on the Northern Ireland peace process. With free trade deals can jeopardize hopes.
The Minister of Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, confirmed to Parliament on Tuesday that the government would be prepared to “break international law in a very specific and limited way”, ignoring the terms of the UK-EU withdrawal agreement signed last year, if both sides could reach a free trade agreement next week. No.
His entry came after the government’s top lawyer, Jonathan Jones, resigned on Tuesday.
The 2019 withdrawal agreement gave Northern Ireland the same trade rules and standards as the European Union’s need to prevent customs checks on the land border with the Irish Republic, a crucial element of the Good Friday Agreement, which has been a sectarian issue for decades.
Still, the UK government plans to rewrite parts of the agreement that guarantees an open Irish border in a new law introduced on Wednesday – raising fears for the future of the peace process.
The UK’s long-running Brexit saga is entering a key phase as Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to sign a free trade agreement with the EU.
The transition agreement between the two parties, which allows for the reckless movement of goods and people, expires on December 31. Boris Johnson has promised to walk away from negotiations with the EU if no deal is reached by October 15.
Talks between the European Union and the UK have intensified in recent weeks and ministers have insisted that the new Irish provisions are simply an insurance policy that will be used in the event of a “no deal”.
Senior Democrats have warned that any move that could jeopardize the peace process on the island of Ireland would be viewed very unfavorably by the possible Biden administration and could jeopardize the prospect of a bilateral trade deal – the UK government’s post-Brexit trade policy.
Anthony Blinken, Biden’s foreign policy adviser, Said on Twitter That candidate is “committed to maintaining the hard-earned peace and stability in Northern Ireland” and that “any arrangement must protect the Good Friday Agreement.”
Richard Neal, chairman of the House Roads and Finance Committee – which will influence the recognition of any agreed trade deal between the US and the UK – urged the UK to support the terms of the withdrawal agreement “in accordance with international law” and issued a statement. “Any U.S.-UK trade agreement must respect the Good Friday Agreement, which has maintained peace and prosperity for the British and Europeans since 1998,” he warned.
“I can’t imagine that we can develop a bilateral trade relationship if there is a return to a tight border,” he said, adding that Biden fully agreed with him on the post.
The UK’s approach has also drawn criticism from opposition figures, EU partners and members of Johnson’s own Conservative party.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May – still sitting MLA – has warned that the UK risks losing the ability of international partners to trust the country.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coweni, Called the British position EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while “the stupid way forward”, Tweeted Reminded Britain of its duties “under international law”.
Former UK ambassador to Washington Kim Droch told the BBC’s Newsnight program that adhering to the international agreement was considered a stand-off for the UK, as they were “not surprised to see the resignation of the public prosecutor.”
