Today’s daily politics briefing
The EU has told the UK it will act “firmly and resolutely” if London reneges on its commitments in the Northern Ireland protocol.
This comes amid reports that the “grace period” for chilled meats in Northern Irish shops could be extended past June.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic criticised the UK over the “numerous and fundamental gaps” in its implementation of the protocol.
He called on the British government to respect “its international law obligations”, saying Brussels would “not be shy” to respond to any unilateral action from London.
Ahead of a meeting between the UK and the EU on Wednesday, businesses have called for an end to trade frictions between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group, a group of leading companies, said hurdles to trade needed to removed and stressed that “stability, certainty, simplicity and affordability” must be delivered.
Biden will think the EU is being too ‘bureaucratic’ over post-Brexit trade, claims minister
George Eustice has claimed US president Joe Biden will see that Brussels is being too “bureaucratic” about post-Brexit trade issues in Northern Ireland.
The environment secretary made the comment the day before the 46th US president arrives in the UK for this week’s G7 conference.
Mr Eustice said: “I suspect that any US administration would be amazed if you were to say, for instance, that a sausage from Texas couldn’t be sold to California, there would be an outright ban – they really wouldn’t understand how that could even be contemplated.”
Rory Sullivan8 June 2021 09:10
Inside Politics
Yesterday, Boris Johnson dodged defeat over aid budget cuts after the speaker rejected a rebel Tory amendment.
In this morning’s politics newsletter, Adam Forrest asks whether the prime minister can similarly magic his way out of the latest post-Brexit disagreement with the EU.
Rory Sullivan8 June 2021 08:44
Starmer’s constituency to annex part of Corbyn’s seat in boundary review plan
Labour leader Keir Starmer’s constituency would be extended to include part of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn’s seat under planned electoral boundary changes.
Under proposals set out in a government review, the Holborn and St Pancras constituency would take over the Tufnell Park ward, which currently lies in Mr Corbyn’s Islington North seat.
Other potential changes include a new “City of London and Islington South” seat.
Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has more details:
Rory Sullivan8 June 2021 08:24
EU has to ‘respect’ NI protocol, says Eustice
The EU has warned the UK not to take unilateral action that goes against the Northern Ireland protocol.
In response to such criticism, the environment secretary George Eustice has in turn said Brussels must “respect” the deal.
Speaking on Sky News, the minister called on the EU to work with the UK to “iron out” existing issues.
He said: “What you have to bear in mind is that the protocol always envisaged that both parties would show best endeavours to make the Northern Ireland protocol work, and that included recognising that Northern Ireland was an integral part of the UK and that you should support the free flow of goods to Northern Ireland.
“What we really need the EU to do is to respect that part of the protocol and put in place sensible measures to remove things like the nonsensical ban on selling sausages or chicken nuggets to Northern Ireland – not just requiring paperwork, but actually having an outright ban on some of those goods – that clearly doesn’t make sense.”
Rory Sullivan8 June 2021 08:09
EU will ‘not be shy’ to respond to breaches of NI protocol, warns Sefcovic
Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission vice president, has warned British ministers that the EU will “not be shy” to take action against the UK for breaches of the Northern Ireland protocol.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said the bloc would act “swiftly, firmly and resolutely to ensure that the UK abides by its international law obligations”.
He added that, as a stepping stone, deadlines for the UK to meet its obligations should be agreed.
His comments come a day before a meeting between Brussels and London.
Rory Sullivan8 June 2021 07:51
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s rolling UK politics coverage.
Rory Sullivan8 June 2021 07:45
