The EU has flatly rejected Boris Johnson’s demand for “significant” changes to trade rules governing post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland.
The European Commission said that it simply “will not agree to a renegotiation” of the Northern Ireland protocol barely two hours after Brexit Tory Brexit Lord Frost said the UK would push for major changes.
Frost, who negotiated the exit trade deal with Brussels that Boris Johnson signed up to in 2019, said “we cannot go on as we are”.
Speaking in the Lords he called for a “new balance” in the protocol that will address the disruption to business and the trade barriers across the Irish Sea.
Frost issued a 28-page wish list which would do away with many veterinary and food regulations on goods moving between the mainland UK and Northern Ireland.
The UK wants to replace the protocol with a light touch “honesty box” system allowing companies to self-register goods going to Northern Ireland.
The UK’s alternative stopped short of ripping up the document completely or arguing the time was right to trigger the article 16 provision that enables either the UK or EU to suspend part of the arrangements in extreme circumstances.
But the move set the stage for another showdown in September with the EU as the clock ticks down to an October deadline on the suspension of some checks.
European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said: “We take note of the statement made by Lord Frost."
“We will continue to engage with the UK, also on the suggestions made today. We are ready to continue to seek creative solutions, within the framework of the protocol, in the interest of all communities in Northern Ireland. However, we will not agree to a renegotiation of the protocol.”
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said: “The EU has consistently said it is ready to find flexible, practical approaches to address the difficulties citizens in Northern Ireland are experiencing as regards the implementation of the protocol.
“However, any solutions must take place within the framework of the protocol and the principles that underpin it.”
Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Office minister Baroness Chapman said: “The Government promised to get Brexit done. And yet here it is trying to unpick it.”
