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The European Union has called the UK draft legislation a “clear violation” of the Brexit withdrawal agreement and has demanded that it be removed before the end of the month.
The lawsuit, accompanied by a threat of legal action and a suggestion Brexi Trade talks could halt if the UK doesn’t back down, following emergency talks between leading EU figures and the UK on Thursday.
It came after the UK government introduced legislation to alter key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement that Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed with Brussels earlier this year.
The move has sparked a storm of anger both in the EU and at home, including leading conservatives.
The Vice President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic (right), held emergency talks in London.
Amid the dispute, European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic traveled to London on Thursday to meet with UK Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Mr Sefcovic told Mr Gove that if the UK Internal Market Bill were to pass “it would constitute an extremely serious violation of the Withdrawal Agreement and international law”.
He added that by introducing the bill, which was published on Wednesday, the UK had seriously damaged trust between the EU and the UK.
“It is now up to the UK government to restore that trust,” the European Commission said in a statement after the meeting.
Sefcovic told Gove that the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including its provisions for the Irish border, was a “legal obligation” and that the EU “expects the letter and spirit of this agreement to be fully respected.”
Breaking the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement “would violate international law, undermine confidence and jeopardize ongoing future relationship negotiations” on a trade agreement between the UK and the EU, Sefcovic added.
He also warned that the EU “will not be shy” in using “a number of legal mechanisms and remedies” that are contained in the Withdrawal Agreement to address violations.
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Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney thanked Sefcovic for his “important statement”.
The meeting between Mr Sefcovic and Mr Gove took place at the same time as EU and UK officials concluded the eighth round of negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU, which has so far advanced little bit.
Without a trade deal by the end of this year, when the Brexit transition period ends, the UK will likely have to trade with the EU on the terms of the World Trade Organization starting next year.
The pound has been under pressure amid the latest Brexit tensions and on Thursday fell to its lowest level against the euro since March, at just over 1.08 euros.
It also fell against the dollar, falling below $ 1.29.
Introducing the UK Internal Market Bill, the Prime Minister has argued that it is necessary to preserve unrestricted trade within the UK and avoid a border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The government has admitted the proposed legislation violates international law in a “very specific and limited way.”
Senior Conservatives, including three former Conservative leaders, have criticized the plans.
Earlier on Thursday, Lord Michael Howard accused the government of damaging the UK’s “reputation for probity and respect for the rule of law”.
“How can we blame Russia, China or Iran when their conduct falls below internationally accepted standards, when we are showing such scant regard for our treaty obligations?” he told the House of Lords.
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale indicated that he is ready to lose the Conservative whip to vote against the bill next week.
“I’ll do what I have to do,” he told Sky News.
“I will do what I have to do on the basis of principle. And the principle is that this UK keeps its word internationally.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, when the couple met to discuss Iran on Thursday, that a violation by the United Kingdom of the Withdrawal Agreement would be “unacceptable” .
