The UK government has said it will pull clauses in a draft law that breach the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement after it clinched a deal with the European Union over implementing the treaty.
Michael Gove, one of Boris Johnson's most senior ministers, announced an “agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
Britain will now withdraw clauses 44, 45 and 47 of the UK Internal Market Bill, and not introduce any similar provisions in the Taxation Bill, the government said. Those clauses would have broken international law.
The deal - which is separate to trade talks - will ensure that the Withdrawal Agreement is fully operational as of January 1st European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said.
Delighted to announce agreement in principle on all issues in the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. Thank you to @MarosSefcovic and his team for their constructive and pragmatic approach.
I will be updating Parliament tomorrow.https://t.co/xtJ25h6ymu pic.twitter.com/OKYPLxV0jZ— Michael Gove (@michaelgove) December 8, 2020
Advertisement
The joint statement said: “Following intensive and constructive work over the past weeks by the EU and the UK, the two co-chairs can now announce their agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“An agreement in principle has been found in the following areas, amongst others: Border Control Posts/Entry Points specifically for checks on animals, plants and derived products, export declarations, the supply of medicines, the supply of chilled meats, and other food products to supermarkets, and a clarification on the application of State aid under the terms of the Protocol.”
They said there was particular concern for the practical arrangements regarding the EU’s presence in Northern Ireland when UK authorities implement checks and controls under the Protocol.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says he hopes an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol can allow progresses in wider EU-UK trade talks.
Talks on an overall trade deal continue - the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, says he has spoken to his British counterpart today.
Barnier said “I am going to brief the EU ministers with full transparency. I just met with David Frost this morning to prepare the next steps and more than ever Brexit is a school of patience."
