EU chief tells UK it’s time for Brexit to be done in latest salvo through Northern Ireland Protocol | Political news
European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said the time had come for “the climax we’ve got Brexit done” as he opened fire on Boris Johnson’s government over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Mr Sefcovic told an audience in London that UK law designed to tear down parts of the protocol, which governs Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements, simply “won’t work”. .
He also warned that the “shadow is cast” by the row will make Brussels more vigilant about continuing to allow British businesses access to financial services, data and certain food markets.
Ending so-called “mutual recognition” of regulations in those areas could become a possibility as the UK changes its standards, Mr Sefcovic said. added that Brussels “will closely monitor developments”.
This protocol is in place to prevent the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
But one consequence has been that goods exported to Northern Ireland from the UK are subject to customs checks, angering unionists who refuse to participate in power sharing until this changes.
Britain has rejected EU proposals to resolve the deadlock.
Brussels says these will reduce checks on some goods by 80%, cut customs paperwork in half and allow the movement of certain goods that will be restricted such as sausages.
Mr Sefcovic said Brexit had increased red tape and hurt businesses on both sides of the Channel but the EU now wanted to move from there “to a truly strategic partnership between the EU and the UK”.
He accused Britain of adopting a “my way or the highway” approach.
“We really find ourselves in a difficult situation, which certainly won’t simply go away,” he added.
“You may not hear this often from a European Commissioner, but it’s time we get Brexit done.”
Mr Sefcovic’s comments echo Boris Johnson’s 2019 campaign pledge.
They came during a speech at the London headquarters of financial news and data provider Bloomberg, where in 2013 David Cameron announced his intention to hold a referendum on EU membership.
Mr Sefcovic said the EU “has its limits” in what it can offer and must protect the integrity of the single market. It is unrealistic and unfair, he said, for the UK to expect “all barriers to be lifted when goods arrive in Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK”.
“Post-Brexit, in fact pre-Brexit is no longer an option,” added Mr Sefcovic.
He said the UK’s “unilaterally changing the game and deciding what to enter the EU single market” was “a clear violation of international law”.
Mr Sefcovic said Britain’s plan to override the protocol would “lead to ongoing uncertainty”.
“Ministers in London will have the freedom to change the rules at will.
“A dual regulatory regime – where businesses choose EU or UK regulations – would bury them under a mountain of bureaucracy.”
Mr. Sefcovic emphasized that, with stability and legal certainty of protocol arrangements, Northern Ireland can enjoy “both wheels” through its unique position, making the country a investment magnet.
The speech comes days after the prime minister plans to replace the protocol crossed its first Commons barrier despite fierce criticism led by former prime minister Theresa May.
In the first day of this month, Mr. Sefcovic replied to publish the bill by restarting legal action against the UK for allegedly breaching its withdrawal treaty from the EU as well as launching two new legal violations.
