Robert Buckland insisted he does not believe the UK will “get to that stage”, insisting legislation that could break international law was a “break the glass in emergency provision if we need it”.
His defence came as Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the UK was damaging its international reputation as he hit out as Mr Johnson’s “spin” in denying Europe could impose a “blockade” between Britain and Northern Ireland.
The British prime minister is under increasing pressure to back down on plans to override elements of his own Withdrawal Agreement, with former leaders calling on Tory rebels to vote his Bill down.
If I see the rule of law being broken in a way I find unacceptable then of course I will go.
As Justice Secretary, Mr Buckland has faced calls to explain how the plans are consistent with obligations under international law and was pressed on Sunday over whether he would resign.
“If I see the rule of law being broken in a way I find unacceptable then of course I will go,” he told The Andrew Marr Show on the BBC.
“I don’t believe we’re going to get to that stage. I know in my mind what I have to do. But the Government collectively here also has a responsibility, we’ve got to resolve any conflict that’s what we will do.”
His Labour shadow, David Lammy, accused Mr Buckland of “putting career before country”, adding: “Each time the Government breaks the law it’s a travesty.”
The Justice Secretary was forced to insist the Government is “committed to the rule of law” and said the position was in accordance with “honourable traditions of the British state”.
But he said the controversial UK Internal Market Bill, which will be debated in Parliament on Monday, is needed in order to “prepare for the worst”.
The British Government is behaving in an extraordinary way and British people need to know that, because outside of Britain the reputation of the UK as a trusted negotiating partner is being damaged.
He also insisted the Prime Minister does genuinely want to broker a free trade deal with the EU, telling Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “He wanted a deal last year, I believed him, I was right in my belief, I know and believe he wants a deal this year.”
Mr Johnson has increased his rhetoric as senior Tories prepare to rebel against his legislation, warning that Brussels could “carve up our country” without his new Bill.
But Minister Coveney dismissed the Prime Minister’s suggestion that the EU could prevent food products being transported from Britain to Northern Ireland.
“There is no blockade proposed,” the Minister told The Andrew Marr Show. “That is the kind of inflammatory language coming from Number 10 which is spin and not the truth.”
Minister Coveney said there would be just “limited checks” on goods coming from Great Britain into Northern Ireland because there is an agreement to prevent the need of a physical border on the island of Ireland.
Protocol on IE/NI is not a threat to the integrity of the UK. We agreed this delicate compromise with @BorisJohnson & his gov in order to protect peace & stability on island of Ireland. We could not have been clearer about the consequences of #Brexit [1/2]
Advertisement— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) September 13, 2020
“The British Government is behaving in an extraordinary way and British people need to know that, because outside of Britain the reputation of the UK as a trusted negotiating partner is being damaged,” he added.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier also said the Northern Ireland Protocol in the Withdrawal Agreement “is not a threat to the integrity of the UK” and denied the EU was refusing to list the UK as a third country for food imports.
He said the “delicate compromise” was agreed with Mr Johnson in October to “protect peace and stability” on the island of Ireland and that the EU could “not have been clearer about the consequences”.
Former prime ministers John Major and Tony Blair united to urge MPs to reject the “shaming” legislation, saying it imperils the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and the UK’s integrity.
“It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal — crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation,” they wrote in the Sunday Times.
Despite Mr Johnson’s attempts to drum up support, Tory rebels suggested their numbers were growing and opinions were only hardened by Mr Johnson’s increased rhetoric.
Commons justice committee chairman Bob Neill has tabled an amendment which he said would impose a “parliamentary lock” on any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement.
