Skip to main content

the eu and the uk agree to extend a truce over post-brexit border checks in northern ireland to avoid a trade war lord trimble is challenging joe biden for siding with

The UK and the EU have agreed to extend a truce over the introduction of controversial post-Brexit trade checks in Northern Ireland.

It is the third time the so-called 'grace period' has been extended as the two sides make more time to try to find permanent solutions to border problems caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The second extension - effectively delaying the point at which more import checks and red tape will be introduced - was agreed in June but was due to expire at the end of this month. 

Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost said this afternoon that the Government will 'continue to operate the Protocol on the current basis'. 

It is unclear how long the extension will last, but Lord Frost said 'reasonable notice' will be given to businesses in the event the arrangements were to change.  

It came as Lord Trimble urged Joe Biden to drop his support for the protocol, warning the post-Brexit border rules 'risk a return to sectarian strife'. 

The architect of the Good Friday Agreement accused the White House of 'contributing to the damage being caused' to the peace treaty by siding with the European Union on the issue. 

He said in a letter to the US President that the 'political promises of the Belfast Agreement have been flippantly dismissed' because of the protocol.      

Ursula von der LeyenBoris Johnson

Boris Johnson has urged the EU to renegotiate the Northern Ireland Protocol but Ursula von der Leyen has ruled out making major changes

Lord Trimble has urged Joe Biden to drop his support for the Northern Ireland Protocol, warning the post-Brexit border rules have caused 'political unrest and violence'

Lord Trimble has urged Joe Biden to drop his support for the Northern Ireland Protocol, warning the post-Brexit border rules have caused 'political unrest and violence'

Lord Trimble said in a letter to the US President that the 'political promises of the Belfast Agreement have been flippantly dismissed' because of the protocol

Lord Trimble said in a letter to the US President that the 'political promises of the Belfast Agreement have been flippantly dismissed' because of the protocol

The protocol, agreed as part of the Brexit deal, requires checks on goods travelling from GB to Northern Ireland to be carried out at ports in order to avoid the return of a land border with the Republic. 

But it has caused disruption to trade and angered unionists who have demanded the rules be scrapped, arguing they create a barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. 

Boris Johnson has repeatedly called on Brussels to renegotiate the protocol but the bloc has ruled out making major changes.    

The 'grace period' delays the introduction of checks in a variety of areas but one of the most contentious is on the export of chilled meat from GB to Northern Ireland. 

EU rules would effectively ban those exports but the current 'grace period' allows shipments to continue and to provide more time to find a permanent fix.  

The two sides remain locked in talks but little progress is being made as they try to avoid what has been dubbed a 'sausage war'.     

Announcing the extension, Lord Frost said in a written statement to Parliament: 'The Government proposed to the EU on 23 July a "standstill" arrangement to maintain the operation of the Protocol on the current basis, and to pause current legal actions, to provide space for discussions on those proposals. The EU announced on 27 July that it was not, at that stage, moving to the next stage of the legal proceedings it started in March. 

'There have since been initial technical talks between the UK and the EU. These will continue in order to determine whether a constructive process can be established for discussing and addressing the issues identified with the Protocol.

'Following on from this, to provide space for potential further discussions, and to give certainty and stability to businesses while any such discussions proceed, the Government will continue to operate the Protocol on the current basis. 

'This includes the grace periods and easements currently in force. Operational and other guidance will be updated to reflect this approach. We will ensure that reasonable notice is provided in the event that these arrangements were to change, to enable businesses and citizens to prepare.'

The extension of the truce came as Lord Trimble told Mr Biden, who has Irish ancestry, that the protocol had been 'imposed' on the people of Northern Ireland without their consent. 

He said: 'The result has been political unrest and violence and threats of further violence on our streets because the political promises of the Belfast Agreement have been flippantly dismissed through the NIP.' 

Michael Gove, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, today met with Irish Tanaiste Leo Varadkar to discuss the protocol

Michael Gove, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, today met with Irish Tanaiste Leo Varadkar to discuss the protocol 

The former first minister of Northern Ireland, who won the Nobel Prize for his efforts in securing peace in Northern Ireland, said the protocol 'risks a return to sectarian strife'. 

In the letter, first reported by The Telegraph, Lord Trimble said: 'I wish to express my concern about the way in which the Agreement is being undermined by the Northern Ireland Protocol, and in particular the role which your administration has played in contributing to the damage being caused to the Agreement through your support for the Northern Ireland Protocol. 

'The Northern Ireland Protocol has not only subverted the main safeguards within the Belfast Agreement causing civil unrest and political uncertainty, it is also damaging the Northern Ireland economy.

'At the heart of the Belfast Agreement is consent, meaning that there can be no change to the constitutional position of NI as part of the UK without the agreement of a majority of the people of the country. 

'But the NIP, by giving the EU powers over the movement of goods into and out of the Province, has torpedoed the 'consent' principle and risks a return to sectarian strife.'

The peer said the protocol had 'totally destroyed' the consent principle 'to the detriment of the unionist community'.   

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o