Tensions rise as UK refuses to back down from EU protocol on Northern Ireland
Brussels has accused the government of acting illegally after it refused to put in place comprehensive checks on goods entering Northern Ireland as agreed in the 2019 post-Brexit deal
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Liz Truss defends decision to change Northern Ireland protocol
Tensions between the UK and EU over border checks on goods bound for Northern Ireland could end up in the European Court of Justice after the government stuck to its weapons.
Brussels has accused the government of acting illegally after refusing to carry out comprehensive checks, as agreed in the 2019 post-Brexit deal.
The EU has filed seven lawsuits accusing the UK of failing to comply with the Northern Ireland protocol - but in today's responses the government refused to budge.
The UK has said it will maintain a seemingly controversial grace period, leaving the European authority to consider further legal action.
Full checks on agricultural products and other goods from Britain will continue to be suspended - an action that Europe considers illegal and unjustified.
The government has said the trade rules protocol – designed to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and its southern neighbour, which remains in the EU – should be renegotiated.
Picture:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)No 10 yesterday (THURSDAY) declined to comment on the situation, but sources say Whitehall plans to continue its controversial grace period.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Downing Street had "no comment" to make on the matter.
An EU spokesperson said, "We will now analyze the response before deciding on next steps."
There has been speculation that Prime Minister Liz Truss will discuss the matter with her Irish counterpart Micheal Martin on the sidelines of the Queen's funeral.
It is understood that the government hopes that the postponement of controls will allow room to find permanent solutions to the ongoing dispute.
Brussels has accused the government of acting illegally after it refused to put in place comprehensive checks on goods entering Northern Ireland as agreed in the 2019 post-Brexit deal
Video not available
Click to playTap to play
Liz Truss defends decision to change Northern Ireland protocol
Tensions between the UK and EU over border checks on goods bound for Northern Ireland could end up in the European Court of Justice after the government stuck to its weapons.
Brussels has accused the government of acting illegally after refusing to carry out comprehensive checks, as agreed in the 2019 post-Brexit deal.
The EU has filed seven lawsuits accusing the UK of failing to comply with the Northern Ireland protocol - but in today's responses the government refused to budge.
The UK has said it will maintain a seemingly controversial grace period, leaving the European authority to consider further legal action.
Full checks on agricultural products and other goods from Britain will continue to be suspended - an action that Europe considers illegal and unjustified.
The government has said the trade rules protocol – designed to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and its southern neighbour, which remains in the EU – should be renegotiated.
Picture:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)No 10 yesterday (THURSDAY) declined to comment on the situation, but sources say Whitehall plans to continue its controversial grace period.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Downing Street had "no comment" to make on the matter.
An EU spokesperson said, "We will now analyze the response before deciding on next steps."
There has been speculation that Prime Minister Liz Truss will discuss the matter with her Irish counterpart Micheal Martin on the sidelines of the Queen's funeral.
It is understood that the government hopes that the postponement of controls will allow room to find permanent solutions to the ongoing dispute.
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