The EU has begun legal proceedings against the UK after it published legislation that would override the parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Maros Sefcovic, vice-president of the European Commission, said the plan to tear up the agreement, which governs Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements, was illegal.

The commission confirmed that Brussels will resume legal proceedings against the UK, which it suspended in September, for breaching the EU withdrawal treaty agreed in 2020.

Politics Hub: Rwanda deportation policy ‘a mess’ says Labour

Mr Sefcovic said: “Let there be no doubt: there is no legal nor political justification whatsoever for unilaterally changing an international agreement.

“This is illegal. The UK bill is extremely damaging to mutual trust and respect between the EU and the UK.

“It has created deep uncertainty and casts a shadow over our international cooperation.”

Related posts:

Ken Clarke urges Rishi Sunak to protect ‘young and poor’ and ditch pension ‘triple lock’ Attorney general becomes first cabinet minister to go on maternity leave Corporation tax rise and threshold freeze as Sunak vows ‘fairer’ UK in COVID victims’ memory Sturgeon on ‘moment she will never forget’ when Salmond revealed harassment claim letter ‘Hard to see’ how Northern Ireland Protocol can remain sustainable, Brexit minister tells MPs Travel firm TUI joins airlines suing government over ‘inexplicable’ amber list rules PMQs: Johnson apologises to businesses over ‘pingdemic’ after more than half a million told to isolate ‘We can’t blow it now’: COVID cases could hit 100,000 a day – but England won’t move to Plan B yet Patel blames rise in migrant crossings on EU having ‘no border protections whatsoever’ Ex-Tory MP jailed for sexual assault now claiming benefit as he tells court he can’t pay costs ‘Stuck in the dark ages’: Sajid Javid says sports bodies are failing to tackle racism Why the government’s social care cap plan is worrying some Tory MPs