Brexit: London defies the EU and faces "serious consequences" - France 24

London (AFP)

The United Kingdom admitted on Tuesday that it wanted to go back on certain commitments made on leaving the European Union, in violation of international law, exposing itself to "serious consequences" from Brussels.

This surge of tension complicates the resumption on Tuesday of already arduous negotiations between London and Brussels on their post-Brexit relationship.

The British desire to revise certain parts of the agreement governing the exit from the EU at the end of last January, revealed on Monday by the Financial Times, surprised Europeans.

Reassembled, they reminded London of its obligations and warned of a blow to "confidence", which would affect the negotiations in progress.

"Any attempt by the UK to undermine the deal would have serious consequences," warned European Parliament President David Sassoli.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney warned his country's MPs that "progress on the future partnership is inextricably linked to the full application of the withdrawal agreement" from the EU.

Asked by the deputies on the revisions that the government intends to introduce Wednesday, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis had previously recognized that the British approach "violates international law in a very specific and limited way".

The government intends to modify to "clarify" the protocol providing for customs arrangements for Northern Ireland.

This text aims to guarantee the absence of a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a member of the EU, and to avoid the resurgence of tensions in this region, bloodied by three decades of "Troubles" until 'at the signing of the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998.

This review aims to ensure that "people and businesses in Northern Ireland have unhindered access to the entire UK market," said Brandon Lewis.

This turnaround annoyed even on British soil, even the former Prime Minister Theresa May, who had resigned after having stumbled on the question of Northern Ireland in the negotiations on the Brexit.

In front of MPs, she asked Mr. Lewis how the government could reassure its future international partners that it would keep its commitments.

According to the Financial Times, the UK government's director of legal services, Jonathan Jones, has resigned over the review.

- "Go forward" -

The UK formally left the EU on January 31, nearly four years after a landmark referendum marking the end of 46 years of a rocky marriage.

But it remains governed by European regulations until the end of December, a transitional period during which the two parties attempt to conclude a free trade agreement.

In this tense climate, an eighth session of negotiations opened Tuesday until Thursday.

Before their start, British negotiator David Frost called on the EU to "be more realistic about the status of independent country" of the United Kingdom.

"We can not afford to go over the same things again" after "six months of dialogue" he said in a statement.

The negotiations come up against in particular fishing and the conditions of fair competition.

Time is running out, Brussels wanting an agreement by the end of October to allow ratification on time.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his part warned that for lack of compromise by the European summit on October 15, he would be satisfied with a "no deal" despite the risks of economic damage in a period of historic crisis caused by the pandemic of new coronavirus.

He even estimated Monday that this would represent "a good outcome" allowing the United Kingdom to "prosper" because it would have "the freedom to conclude trade agreements with all countries of the world".

On Channel 5, Labor opposition leader Keir Starmer urged him to "get a deal" to "move forward" and focus on tackling the pandemic instead.

The business community is also showing more concern and the pound is trending lower for the second day in a row on Tuesday.

Breaking its commitments at the risk of peace in Northern Ireland could also harm the United Kingdom's negotiations with other countries, mainly the United States with which London wants to reach an ambitious trade agreement by the end of the year.

© 2020 AFP