UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s controversial Brexit legislation, enabling the country to break international law, has cleared the House of Commons.
MPs voted 340 to 256, majority 84, in favour of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill at third reading despite warnings that the “law-breaking” legislation threatens the union and the country’s global reputation.
Ministers have defended powers contained in the legislation, which gives them the opportunity to override the Brexit divorce deal.
They argue such powers are needed to protect the relationship between Great Britain and Northern Ireland amid concerns in Westminster that Brussels officials could seek to disrupt food goods travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland as part of trade talks.
The EU has called for Mr Johnson to withdraw the problematic measures from the proposed legislation by the end of the month.
Brussels has warned it will “not be shy” in taking legal action if the UK government does not agree to the demand.
Mr Johnson was forced to compromise in the face of a Tory backbench rebellion, which resulted in changes to give MPs a vote before ministers can use the powers which would breach the Withdrawal Agreement brokered with the EU last year.
-with AAP
