Minister questioned on Northern Ireland Protocol and customs check plans
25 April 2022
The European Scrutiny Committee examines the Government plans to disapply the Northern Ireland Protocol, the timing of the introduction of remaining customs checks for EU goods and on negotiations on the Gibraltarian border.
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Witnesses
Thursday 28 April 2022
At 10.45am
- Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP, Minister for Europe and North America, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK Government
- Julian Braithwaite, Director General, Europe, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to bring forward legislation that would allow the Government to override the NI Protocol, according to reports. The Committee will seek more detail on these plans and their expected impact on negotiations with the European Union (EU) on the Protocol.
Following Brexit, the EU implemented full customs checks for goods entering the block from Great Britain. However, the UK has so far preferred to defer the implementation of some checks leaving British businesses with burdens to enter the European market that their EU counterparts do not face when exporting goods to Britain. The Committee are likely to ask Mr Cleverly whether there is any truth in reports that the Government intends to defer again while British businesses and consumers face a cost-of-living crisis.
The Committee are also expected to be updated on negotiations with the EU over the future of the border between Spain and Gibraltar following failure to meet anticipated completion dates, first at the end of 2021 and then Easter.
Cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom regarding sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine will also feature in the evidence session.
Further information
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