Britain has missed a deadline set by the European Union for replying to its legal notice regarding concerns about Boris Johnson’s controversial Brexit Bill.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen sent the UK a “letter of formal notification” last month after ministers rejected a demand to scrap clauses from the UK Internal Market Bill that override key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The commission confirmed on Tuesday that the October 31st deadline for a response had lapsed and warned the UK the issue must be “resolved”.
Downing Street admitted it had failed to reply and expressed its desire to work through the Joint Committee to solve the dispute.
We will be expecting a response from the UK and in the meantime we will be considering our next steps
Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie told a Brussels press briefing: “To date, I can confirm the EU has received no reply from the UK. This dispute will have to be resolved.
“We will be expecting a response from the UK and in the meantime we will be considering our next steps.”
The UK government has argued the Bill – which gives ministers the power to override provisions in the Brexit divorce agreement relating to Northern Ireland – is necessary to protect the peace process if there is no agreement on a post-Brexit free trade agreement.
However the move has infuriated the EU, which said it sees the UK violate its treaty obligations after UK ministers admitted it would breach international law.
The UK Prime Minister’s spokesman told reporters he would “obviously not dispute” the commission’s remarks regarding the missed deadline.
Asked whether his answer signalled that there had not been a letter of reply sent, the Number 10 official said: “Indeed.”
He added: “From our point of view, I would say we are committed to working through the Joint Committee process to find a satisfactory outcome for both sides – that is our overriding priority.”
In news that could indicate a breakthrough in the cross-Channel trade talks, the commission confirmed chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier will update MEPs on the progress of the discussions this week.
Mr Barnier is currently involved in face-to-face talks with his UK counterpart David Frost in the Belgian capital in a bid to find agreement on the outstanding areas.
Fisheries continues to be a major obstacle to a deal and neither side would be moved on reports that an agreement on access rights to British waters is in the offing.
