All five surviving prime ministers have now spoken out against the UK government’s proposed bill.
Former prime minister David Cameron is “skeptical” about the government’s plan to terminate Britain’s withdrawal agreement.
The government acknowledged that its UK Internal Markets Bill could violate international law, but stressed that it was “important” to ensure unrestricted access from North Ireland to the rest of the UK.
But the proposed law has created a storm in Westminster and Brussels with a plan to give ministers the power to make significant changes to the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement, which was officially signed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in January.
His remarks mean that all five living Prime Ministers, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as well as Sir John and Mrs May, have now spoken out against the government’s proposals.
“It should be a final decision. So I have no doubt about what is being proposed.”
However, Mr. Cameron added: “So far the government has enacted a law that can either pass, or pass, or use or not use, depending on whether certain conditions arise or not.
“Certainly the big picture here is that we are in important negotiations with the EU to get an agreement and I think we should keep that context, that great award in mind, which is why I’m probably reluctant to say much so far.”
Over the weekend, UK chief negotiator Lord Frost accused the EU of “explicitly” threatening trade talks that Great Britain would not be able to deliver food to Northern Ireland.
However, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Brussels was “not reluctant” to list the UK as the world’s third largest food importer – although he called for “more clarity” on UK food security and animal and plant health measures.
Prime Minister Kit Malthouse told that, if the EU does not register the UK as a third country importer, then “we could be in a situation where the export of food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is illegal”.
Mr Johnson on Monday afternoon will open a House of Commons debate on the UK Internal Market Bill, in which many members of the Tory Parliament are expected to revolt against the law.
There have also been tensions between Tory Brexiteers, and former attorney general Geoffrey Cox criticizing the government’s plan as “unreasonable”.
But Mr Malthouse, the police minister, said he “still needs to hear from people who oppose the law what their solutions will be in this regard”.
He acknowledged “with a view” that the proposed law could violate international law, but international law could “allow” such a situation.
Labor partner Lord Hain, a former secretary for Northern Ireland, told that the government’s use of “bombings” and the proposal to oppose the Withdrawal Agreement “have tarnished our global reputation”.
“It is the end of our earthly existence.”