The talks have been shrouded in secrecy since a drastic improvement in relations under Rishi Sunak, but a deal hasn’t been reached yet…reports Asian Lite News
The UK government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a new agreement on the Brexit trading rules for Northern Ireland next week. But former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is threatening Sunak’s bid to end the bitter dispute with the European Union.
After weeks of intense UK-EU talks, momentum has been building towards a deal to revise the Northern Ireland Protocol – the arrangements agreed to avoid a hard border with EU member Ireland when Britain exited the EU in 2020.
The talks have been shrouded in secrecy since a drastic improvement in relations under Rishi Sunak, but a deal hasn’t been reached yet.
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It is the trade deal that was agreed to ensure the free movement of goods across the Irish land border after Brexit. It came into effect in 2021 and has resulted in checks on goods travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Boris Johnson and a section of Tory members believe that a successful deal will allow the UK government to unilaterally rip up some Brexit arrangements in the region.
Keeping the Northern Ireland protocol bill, introduced by Johnson’s government and currently working its way through parliament, now appears to have become a key test for the former prime minister, The Guardian reported.
But if the UK can resolve the issues with the EU, then there won’t be any need for such a bill. Sources close to Boris Johnson told The Guardian that it would be a great mistake to drop the Northern Ireland protocol bill.
Rishi Sunak might also face backlash from a section of pro-Brexit Tory MPs if the prime minister secures the deal on the back of opposition support. Labour leader Starmer has called on Sunak to “sidestep” hardline Tory MPs as the issue has dragged on for too long.
While details of the deal have not yet been published, it would involve separating goods from Great Britain that are staying within Northern Ireland and ensuring they do not have to undergo routine checks, the report said.
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