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Longtime Conservative MP John Redwood defended the bill as a “necessary piece of legislation” despite the fact that Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis admitted it would violate international law, in a staggering moment in the House of Commons. Redwood rejected claims that the bill would harm the UK’s position on the international stage, insisting that the proposed new legal framework, which risks invalidating parts of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA), would strengthen the country’s credibility. .
His claims come as businesses across the UK are navigating a path to recovery after months of shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, while also having to deal with the uncertainty caused by Brexit.
In an interview with German radio Deutschland Funk, Mr. Redwood explained why he voted in favor of the bill that would give ministers more powers in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol.
Mr Redwood said: “I support it because it is a necessary piece of legislation to ensure that we can have our own internal market and customs union when powers are returned to us on January 1 of next year.”
He continued: “International law is not the same as criminal law. It can be interpreted.
Brexiteer MP John Redwood has fiercely defended the Prime Minister’s controversial Brexit bill (Image: GETTY)
The Prime Minister’s controversial internal market bill has been endorsed by Brexiteer John Redwood (Image: GETTY)
“I don’t think we are going to violate international law at all. We are talking about an agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union that is ambiguous and contradictory ”.
He said that passing the bill would be an act of “common sense” and would bring “security to the business world.”
When Redwood was presented with Lewis’s assessment of the bill, which would violate international law “in a very specific and limited way,” he simply said, “He’s not right.”
The European Union was also quick to criticize the UK for its plans that risk violating international law.
READ MORE: ‘The EU has behaved with shameless illegality and injustice towards the United Kingdom’
Redwood said Lewis was wrong when he said the bill would violate international law. (Image: GETTY)
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Very concerned by the announcements of the British government about its intentions to violate the Withdrawal Agreement.
“This would violate international law and undermine trust. Pacta sunt servanda = the foundation for prosperous future relationships.”
Redwood lashed out at the five living former prime ministers, including Theresa May and David Cameron, for condemning the legislation, saying they had used their positions to thwart the will of voters when it came to the country’s dealings with the EU.
He went on to dismiss the idea that Boris Johnson would somehow damage Britain’s credibility if he went ahead with the bill, which Brussels has asked him to withdraw.
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The prime minister has been criticized by conservative MPs for his Brexit bill (Image: GETTY)
The Conservative MP from Wokingham said the UK has made clear to the international community its desire for independence and control over its domestic market and customs territory.
He stated that “our credibility will grow a lot” and accused the EU of resorting to “desperate tactics” in an attempt to “interpret the unilateral agreement in a certain direction, which would damage the internal market, the customs territory of the United Kingdom and its capacity. to have its own commercial policy ”.
And after the eighth round of trade talks between David Frost and Michel Barnier concluded with no deal in sight, Redwood blamed the EU, saying they had failed “to negotiate sensibly.”
Brexit timeline (Image: EXPRESS)
He added: “The UK presented the European Union with a serious free trade agreement based on free trade agreements that the EU has concluded with third countries.
“They told us that the EU would not do this to us. And that with malicious intent.
“It is therefore no wonder that we in the UK Parliament, together with our government, are now regulating things in our own way by law.”
But the longtime Brexit supporter said that regardless of whether the two sides reach an agreement, he is hopeful the UK will get off to a good start in 2021 after the transition period expires on December 31.
Mr Redwood said the Internal Market Bill would provide security for businesses (Image: GETTY)
There will be no “chaotic Brexit” if Barnier and Lord Frost fail in their effort to reach a trade pact, Redwood said, adding: “From a UK perspective, no deal will give us much of what we want.”
Informal discussions between the two sides continued in Brussels this week.
The ninth round of official negotiations will begin on September 28.
The prime minister has said that any deal will have to be agreed in mid-October to allow enough time for it to be approved by parliament before the end of the year.
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.
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