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Despite repeated calls from the EU’s 27 member states for London to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol, the British government has refused to do so, the Commission said in a statement.
Unwillingness to discuss reasonably
For more than a year, we tried to find common solutions in the spirit of constructive cooperation, the European Commission said. “However, the United Kingdom’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussions and the process advanced to pass the Northern Ireland Protocol Act through the United Kingdom Parliament directly contradicts this spirit,” the press release continued.
Specifically, the charges relate to non-compliance with customs regulations in force and non-application of some European regulations. The UK now has two months to react.
The conflict between the EU and Great Britain continues
The UK and the EU have long debated the implementation of Brexit rules. Most recently, the European Commission stepped up pressure on London in June by launching two new infringement procedures and reopening another.
The Northern Ireland Protocol is part of the 2019 Brexit deal between Brussels and London and aims to regulate customs controls on the exchange of goods between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. London initially agreed to the settlement to prevent checks on Ireland’s internal border as it could jeopardize the peace process in the former troubled region. Infringement proceedings may lead to a lawsuit at the European Court of Justice and result in a fine.
A controversial bill
The launch of these new procedures is part of a controversial Northern Ireland Protocol bill which passed third reading in the British House of Commons on Wednesday. The planned law should allow London to unilaterally cancel Brexit deals related to the British province.
From London’s perspective, the Northern Ireland Protocol undermines peace in the region. Indeed, the pro-British DUP party has for weeks opposed the formation of a government in Northern Ireland and is calling for the protocol to be scrapped.
The European Commission had threatened consequences during the signing of the planned law. However, before the law can come into force, it still needs to be approved by Parliament’s second house, the House of Lords. This should be done after the summer holidays. The bill is expected to face stiffer resistance in the House of Lords. If the government succeeds in imposing its plans, it could lead to serious clashes with Brussels. At worst, a trade war could break out.
Little relaxation on the horizon for Johnson’s successors, too
The two candidates to succeed outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, have so far shown no sign of seeking a de-escalation of the dispute. With this bill, the London government wants to force Brussels to reopen the agreement on the special status of Northern Ireland. The European Commission categorically rules this out and instead wants to negotiate a solution within the framework of the existing agreement.
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