UK reputation 'seriously damaged' over EU divorce treaty breach - Irish FM Coveney
The British government said explicitly last week that it plans to break international law by breaching parts of the Withdrawal Agreement treaty that it signed in January, when it formally left the EU.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the new legislation is needed to clarify the Northern Ireland protocol element of the Brexit deal, to protect free trade between the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom.
Commenting on the government's plans to breach parts of the Withdrawal Agreement treaty, British Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told the BBC there was "a difference between the domestic law position and the international law position."
Coveney and Buckland made the statements hours after former prime ministers Tony Blair and John Major criticized Britain for its "shocking" plan.
European lawmakers have warned they would not approve any new trade deal unless the withdrawal agreement was fully implemented, while there is also talk of possible legal action.
