Brexit- Breaching the International Laws

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The UK government has come under backlash in recent days in discussion of Brexit, with the Conservative party willing to now go against the international laws which are currently put into place. This will be done through a passing of the Internal Market Bill in order to get through a deal which they consider more suitable.

The suggested bill which has been agreed, creates a legal "safety net" which would ultimately allow Boris Johnson to override part of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement which had been signed last year. Despite having received criticisms amongst some Conservative party members and other national parties with Labour's shadow attorney general, Lord Falconer stating that the concession "doesn't remedy the breaches of international law which arise from the bill". The government believes this action would be necessary despite it breaching international laws in a limited and specific way, in order to prevent disruption to the trade taking place between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

However, following this decision the UK government has now been issued an official warning from the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She suggested that there could be no trade deal between the EU and the UK if London reneged on the withdrawal agreement that had been previously agreed to between the parties last year. Moreover, Ursula von der Leyen also recalled the words from former British Prime Minister between 1979 to 1990 Margaret Thatcher, who stated that breaking of international treaties was "bad for Britain, bad for relations with the rest of the world and bad for any future treaty on trade". When questioned as to whether he may believe a situation of no deal Brexit would arise when the current trade agreements in place would expire at the end of 2020, Boris Johnson has shown confidence in his moves having stated "I have every hope and expectation that, that won't be the outcome."

These actions taken in regards to PM Boris Johnson agreeing to break international laws by bringing in the new legislation to over-ride elements of the Withdrawal Agreement has led to notable reaction.

The renowned human rights expert and lawyer Amal Clooney has thus decided to subsequently leave her post within the government having been disappointed with the UK who have always held a reputation for their fair play culture and have been seen as a champion of retaining oversea international legal order. Following a meeting which had been held with the current Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Amal handed in her notice after having received no assurances as to the future intentions of the British government. Amal referred to the arisen plans to break the Brexit agreements as 'lamentable' and believes that such activity would be detrimental and threaten 'to embolden autocratic regimes that violate international law with devastating consequences all over the world'. She also believes that the actions would bring her difficulty in continuing her role as Special Envoy, which gives her responsibilities 'to urge other states to respect and enforce international obligations while the UK declares that it does not intend to do so itself'.

Despite the objections from Brussels stating that the Internal Market Bill would consequently leave Britain in violation of International law. There would still be a willingness to continue negotiating a trade deal with the UK. Nonetheless the current disputes over the Internal Market Bill would need resolving beforehand to allow any other agreements between the parties to be approved. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what next steps are taken following the progression of this Bill and any prospective Brexit deal.