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Boris Johnson has urged MPs to support a bill amending the Brexit deal he signed with the EU in January.
The prime minister said the domestic markets bill “will ensure the integrity of the UK’s domestic market” and hand over power to Scotland and Wales.
He also stated that he would protect the Northern Ireland peace process.
Critics say the move will damage the UK’s international position after a minister admitted the plans violate international law.
The Scottish government has not ruled out legal action to prevent it from becoming law.
Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The bill proposed by the Conservatives for the UK’s so-called internal market is an abomination. It is a blatant takeover that would cripple devolution.
‘Challenging circumstances’
The European Commission has called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the content of the bill.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Very concerned by announcements by the British government about its intentions to violate the Withdrawal Agreement. This would violate international law and undermine trust.”
Downing Street said the EU Withdrawal Agreement – repeatedly described as “oven-ready” by Johnson during last year’s general election – contained “ambiguities” and lacked clarity in “key areas.”
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EU negotiator Michel Barnier arrives in London to talk
The prime minister’s spokesman said it had been agreed “at the pace in the most challenging political circumstances” to “comply with a decision of the British people.”
It was signed “on the assumption that later agreements could be reached to clarify these aspects,” the spokesman added.
Downing Street welcomed the idea of an “extraordinary meeting” with the European Commission to discuss the proposed changes and said it would set a date as soon as possible.
It comes as talks continue in London to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
Sending the invoice
The new bill sets out rules for the functioning of the UK’s internal market (trade between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) after the end of the Brexit transition period in January.
It proposes:
- No new checks will be carried out on goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of Great Britain
- Give UK ministers powers to modify or “opt out” of the rules relating to the movement of goods which will come into effect from 1 January if the UK and the EU cannot reach an alternative agreement through a business agreement.
- Powers to override previously agreed state aid obligations: government support to businesses
The bill explicitly states that these powers must apply even if they are incompatible with international law.
Ministers say the legislation is necessary to avoid “damaging” tariffs on goods traveling from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland if negotiations with the EU on a free trade deal fail.
But high-ranking conservatives have warned that it runs the risk of undermining the UK’s reputation as a defender of international law.
And the Scottish government fears that the UK single market will cut through areas that are normally transferred.
For example, if the UK government decides that some food imports are acceptable in England, they would also be allowed in Scotland, even though agriculture is decentralized.
In the withdrawal agreement with the EU, Northern Ireland is still in the UK, but must follow elements of the EU customs code.
The EU will regard this bill as a rather blatant attempt to overturn the agreement that has been made.
The bill contains the words “notwithstanding,” which basically means that this law nullifies a law that we have already agreed to.
It was described to me earlier in the week as a completely nuclear option.
And they have pressured it.
This row is not going away.
Speaking at Prime Minister Questions, Johnson said: “My job is to uphold the integrity of the UK, but also to protect the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.”
“And to do that, we need a legal safety net to protect our country against extreme or irrational interpretations of the Protocol, which could lead to a border in the Irish Sea, in a way that I believe would be detrimental to the interests of the Agreement. Good Friday and harmful to the interests of peace in our country. And that has to be our priority. “
Commenting on a similar argument from Health Secretary Matt Hancock, a former minister told the BBC: “I cannot let anyone get away with saying that the government is doing this to protect the peace process. This does exactly what contrary.
“This is the domestic market in the UK and is more likely to lead to a hard border [between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland] which will endanger the peace process. ”
Labor is discussing “possible amendments” to the UK’s Internal Markets Act amid “serious concerns,” a spokesman for leader Sir Keir Starmer said.
The legislation will see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with powers in areas such as air quality and the efficiency of buildings currently regulated at the EU level.
It will also create a new body, the Office for the Internal Market, to ensure that rules adopted in different parts of the UK do not undermine cross-border trade.
‘Rogue state’
The new body will be able to issue non-binding recommendations to the UK Parliament and delegated administrations when clashes arise.
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SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford described the Internal Markets Act as “nothing less than an attack on the Scottish Parliament and an affront to the people of Scotland”.
He accused Boris Johnson of violating international law and “creating a rogue state.”
Johnson said the domestic markets bill “will protect jobs, protect growth, ensure the fluidity and security of our UK domestic market and prosperity across the UK.”
He described it as a “massive devolution act” that would represent a “very substantial transfer of power and sovereignty” to Scotland and Wales.
But his words did not prevent the resignation of a high-ranking conservative in Wales, where the party is in opposition.
Shadow General Counsel David Melding said in his resignation letter that the prime minister’s actions in recent days had “seriously compounded” the dangers facing “our 313-year-old Union.”
