The UK is facing further legal action from the European Union after Boris Johnson missed the bloc’s deadline to explain why he is planning to renege on parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement in the event of no-deal.
The European Commission sent a “letter of formal notice” to the UK on 1 October over Johnson’s Internal Market Bill, which breaches elements of the divorce treaty signed earlier this year.
But Brussels confirmed yesterday that the deadline to respond to that letter has now passed - which means that legal action against the UK will proceed in a “sub-plot to the ongoing Brexit drama”, The Independent reports.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Brussels says the dispute has to be resolved if Britain wants a free trade agreement, which is being negotiated in intensive parallel talks between the two sides,” the newspaper adds.
The prime minister had signed up to the union’s customs code as part of the agreement, but has since argued that the UK should be exempt from certain rules in the event of no-deal. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis admitted in the Commons in September that the bill breaks international law in a “limited and specific” way.
Last night, a European Commission spokesperson said: “To date, I can confirm that the EU has received no reply from the UK, therefore we are considering next steps, including issuing a reasoned opinion [of the European Court of Justice].”
Asked why London had not responded, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “We are committed to working through the Joint Committee process to find a satisfactory outcome for both sides. That is our overriding priority. We will respond to the next stages of this process in due course, as required.”
-
5 vengefully funny cartoons about punishing Trump's political enemiesCartoons Artists take on vengeance in a shutdown, the hounds of Pam Bondi, and more
-
Political cartoons for October 18Cartoons Saturday's editorial cartoons include conversion therapy, Russ Vought, and more
-
President Trump: ‘waging war’ on ChicagoTalking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU partySpeed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
US and EU reach trade dealSpeed Read Trump's meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resulted in a tariff agreement that will avert a transatlantic trade war
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
