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Boris Johnson has partially downgraded his controversial new Brexit bill in the face of a conservative rebellion.
Downing Street offered a compromise to try to win over the dozens of conservatives who abstained or voted against the bill that would void the withdrawal agreement, violating international law.
The prime minister has promised to give MPs another vote before powers are used, provided they pass the bill. Internal market bill when he should complete his trip to the Commons next week.
A new Brexit row has erupted before the end of the transition period
A statement was issued “after talks” between Number 10 and the disgruntled deputies, in which it agreed that the amendment will provide a “clearer and more explicit democratic mandate for the use of these powers.”
And the ministers have agreed to another amendment that “establishes clear limits to the scope and timing of judicial review” of the bill.
But it came too late to stop the resignation of a justice minister, Lord keen, who is the third government figure to resign over the issue, after the head of the government’s legal department and a special envoy.
And Labor Party shadow attorney general Lord Falconer said the concession “does not remedy the violations of international law that arise from the bill,” adding: “It is honestly getting worse, not better.”
Lord Keen has resigned as Scottish Counsel General
Earlier, Johnson accused Brussels of not acting in “good faith” during trade negotiations.
When asked if he thought the EU was, he said: “I don’t think so”, flatly contradicting Northern Ireland’s secretary, Brandon Lewis, whose answer to the same question above was “yes”.
Before the U-turn, Johnson said his approach was only “protection” against “extreme interpretations” of the part of the divorce settlement that affects Northern Ireland.
He was supported by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a press conference: “I trust the UK … I have great confidence that they will do well in a way that treats everyone fairly. “.
But Johnson had been looked down upon by high-ranking American Democrats who threatened to block an American trade deal if the United Kingdom broke international law.
Meanwhile, the EU had threatened legal action and said it could threaten ongoing trade talks with the bloc.
Prime Minister said a no-deal divorce ‘is not what this country wants’
Johnson tried to downplay the possibility that there is no deal to replace existing trade deals that will expire at the end of 2020 when the transition period ends.
He said that “it is not what this country wants” and added: “I have every hope and expectation that this will not be the result.”
Brussels has yet to respond to Downing Street’s latest move.
