EU threatens UK with sanctions
The EU has warned Boris Johnson of “sanctions” if he fails to implement controversial goods checks in the Irish Sea after Brexit, opening up a fresh potential clash with the UK.
Brussels will “not tolerate any backsliding or half measures”, the senior adviser to chief negotiator Michel Barnier said – after the prime minister repeatedly claimed checks would not be necessary.
Stefaan De Rynck insisted the inspections were a joint legal agreement, as the price for Britain but not Northern Ireland – breaking free of the single market and customs union.
“2020 will not just be about the future relationship, but also about implementing the withdrawal agreement notably the Northern Irish protocol,” he told an event in London.
“We will have to be extremely disciplined to ...