UK to table bill to scrap Northern Ireland Brexit protocol, Liz Truss says

Source: The Guardian

UK to table bill to scrap Northern Ireland Brexit protocol, Liz Truss says

Foreign secretary confirms plans to ditch parts of deal, saying Good Friday agreement ‘under strain’

Heather Stewart and Lisa O'Carroll
Tue 17 May 2022 13.54 BST
First published on Tue 17 May 2022 12.54 BST

Liz Truss has claimed the east-west relationship between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been “undermined” by the Northern Ireland protocol, as she confirmed plans to table legislation that would scrap parts of the agreement.

The foreign secretary, who is also responsible for Brexit, set out plans for the move in a statement in the House of Commons. The bill is not expected to be published for several weeks, but if enacted could spark a trade war with the EU.

Truss said the government’s first priority was to uphold the Good Friday agreement, which she said was “under strain”.

“The Northern Ireland protocol does not have the support necessary in one part of the community in Northern Ireland,” she said, referring to the Democratic Unionist party’s opposition.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/17/northern-ireland-brexit-protocol-liz-truss-bill-scrap