Britain could rewrite lawbreaking Brexit bill as part of EU deal
- Negotiations have stalled, with Boris Johnson’s UK Internal Market Bill among a number of obstacles
- British PM said on Friday he was preparing for no-deal withdrawal from European Union
British officials are prepared to water down Boris Johnson’s controversial lawbreaking Brexit legislation in a move that could revive failing talks with the European Union, according to people familiar with the matter.
Negotiations over the two sides’ future relationship have stalled, with the prime minister announcing on Friday that he will focus on preparations to leave the EU’s single market and customs union at the year-end without a trade deal – though he is still open to talks if the bloc changes its stance.
One obstacle negotiators face is rebuilding the trust that was badly damaged by Johnson’s UK Internal Market Bill, which rewrites parts of the Brexit withdrawal deal he struck with the EU last year.
The bloc is taking legal action against Britain, and European leaders have demanded the Johnson drop the controversial clauses relating to trade with Northern Ireland as the price of any wider accord.
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EU takes legal action against UK over Brexit bill
So far, the prime minister has refused, but his officials believe Parliament will force his hand when members of the House of Lords – the UK’s unelected upper chamber – remove the clauses that would breach international law.
The bill begins its progress through the Lords on Monday. Legislators there are unlikely to reject the draft law entirely this week, but are certain to take out the most controversial parts in the weeks ahead, people familiar with the government’s position said.