Brussels is expected to launch legal action against the UK today over moves the EU says breach last year’s deal on Northern Ireland.
Boris Johnson’s government has moved to unilaterally change parts of the deal to better suit British businesses – provoking anger on the other side of the channel.
The action is expected to be taken under the terms of the infringement procedure laid out in the withdrawal agreement. A formal letter would mark the start of the legal proceedings.
The UK is unilaterally extending grace periods on UK supermarket suppliers and businesses trading in Northern Ireland – amid concerns that the terms actually negotiated by Boris Johnson would cause more food shortages if implemented as agreed.
Some shops in the territory have struggled to stay stocked since 1 January when the new arrangement came in, but the situation is expected to significantly worsen when the grace periods on checks end. This was due to happen at the end of this month before the UK’s unilateral extension.
Ahead of the expected announcement of legal proceedings, Dacian Cioloș, who leads Emmanuel Macron’s liberal political group in the European Parliament said:
“Breaching international law is not what serious Government’s do. The UK was once a champion of the rule of law in Europe; we expect our partners to honour the agreements we make together. Allies, neighbours and friends work together to find solutions.”
Discover more from Today Headline
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.