• UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
NewsExplored
  • UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • LinkedIn

  • Tumblr

  • RSS

Politics

Law officer ‘offers resignation’ over Brexit bill row

Law officer ‘offers resignation’ over Brexit bill row
Newsexplored
16th September 2020
ShareTweet
SubscribeRedditGoogleWhatsappStumbleuponPinterestDiggLinkedinTumblrTelegram
Views:
5
Lord Keen at the Supreme CourtImage copyright PA Media

The UK government’s law officer for Scotland, Lord Keen, has offered his resignation to the prime minister.

BBC Scotland understands the advocate general has found it difficult to reconcile plans to override the Brexit withdrawal agreement with the law.

Lord Keen’s resignation has not yet been accepted by Downing Street.

BBC Scotland chief political correspondent Glenn Campbell said there appeared to be an effort to persuade the law officer to remain in the post.

The government’s most senior lawyer – Sir Jonathan Jones, permanent secretary to the government legal department – has already resigned over the legislation, which passed its first parliamentary test on Monday.

  • PM’s Brexit bill clears first hurdle in Commons

The row centres on the UK government’s Internal Markets Bill, which Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told MPs could “break international law” by overriding the withdrawal agreement signed with the EU.

Lord Keen subsequently argued in the House of Lords that his view was that “the bill does not of itself constitute a breach of international law or of the rule of law”.

He said that Mr Lewis had “essentially answered the wrong question”.

But the Northern Ireland secretary has since doubled down, saying that his statement was a “very straight answer” which was “absolutely in line” with legal advice.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

data-ad-format="auto">
Media captionBrandon Lewis says he gave the “correct” answer when he was asked if the Internal Market Bill would break international law.

BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said Lord Keen’s resignation had been rumoured for days, and had ultimately happened “after Brandon Lewis contradicted him this morning”.

Richard Keen had been the chairman of the Scottish Conservatives until being appointed as Advocate General in 2015 – when he was also made a life peer as Baron Keen of Elie.

The QC has represented the UK government in court in a number of high-profile cases, including over the prorogation of parliament in 2019 and the “Article 50” Brexit case in 2016-17.

What is the Internal Markets Bill?

The bill sets out rules for the operation of the UK internal market – trade between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – after the end of the Brexit transition period in January.


It proposes:

  • No new checks on goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of Great Britain
  • Giving UK ministers powers to modify or “disapply” rules relating to the movement of goods that will come into force from 1 January if the UK and EU are unable to reach an alternative agreement through a trade deal
  • Powers to override previously agreed obligations on state aid – government support for businesses

The bill explicitly states that these powers should apply even if they are incompatible with international law.

Ministers say the legislation is needed to prevent “damaging” tariffs on goods travelling from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland if negotiations with the EU on a free trade agreement fail.

But some senior Conservatives – including former Prime Minister John Major – have warned it risks undermining the UK’s reputation as an upholder of international law.

The legislation has also proved controversial with the devolved administrations, which are concerned about how the UK’s “internal market” will operate post-Brexit and who will set regulations and standards.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Itemsbrexitoffersofficerresignation
Politics
16th September 2020
Newsexplored @newsexploredweb

Related Itemsbrexitoffersofficerresignation

More in Politics

  • Read More
    Freeports: What are they and where will they be?

    Views:5 Published 32 minutes ago image copyrightGetty Images The locations of eight new freeports in England have...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    The seven key questions facing Nicola Sturgeon

    Views:5 By Nick EardleyBBC political correspondent image copyrightPA Media Scotland’s first minister is set to give evidence...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Vaccine passports: Do I need one for going out, work and travel?

    Views:5 By Eleanor LawrieBBC News image copyrightGetty Images Vaccine passports could soon be needed to go on...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    What next for the Holyrood inquiry if Salmond does not appear?

    Views:5 By Philip SimBBC Scotland News image copyrightGetty Images image captionThe inquiry committee has been moving between...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Budget 2021: What is it and when will it happen?

    Views:5 By Kevin PeacheyBBC News Published 2 days ago image copyrightGetty Images This year’s Budget will be...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Climate change: Six questions about the Cumbria coal controversy

    Views:5 By Roger HarrabinBBC environment analyst image copyrightWest Cumbria Mining Company image captionThe mine would extract coking...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Could indyref2 be held without the UK’s consent?

    Views:5 By Philip SimBBC Scotland political reporter image copyrightGetty Images image captionThe case has been brought by...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Covid-19: NI lockdown to be extended until 5 March

    Views:5 image copyrightPacemaker Coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland will be extended until 5 March, the first...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Covid: What is universal credit – and what other benefits are available?

    Views:5 image copyrightGetty Images Labour and some Conservative MPs are calling on the government to keep a...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: Five surprising consequences

    Views:5 By Reality Check teamBBC News image copyrightGetty Images While the UK government had been warning of...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Covid-19: Northern Ireland’s R-rate ‘falls significantly’

    Views:5 image copyrightPA Media image captionMichelle O’Neill and Arlene Foster appeared at their first joint press conference...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: ‘Problems’ in first week of post-deal GB-NI trade

    Views:5 By Conor MacauleyBBC NI Agriculture & Environment Correspondent image copyrightReuters image captionThe first lorries to cross...

    Newsexplored 16th September 2020
Scroll for more
Tap
data-ad-format="auto">
NewsExplored

NewsExplored - Making sure all the latest news is explored?

Contact us for help

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • Transfer rumours: Kounde, Haaland, Bremer, Neuhaus, Balogun, Ziyech, Raphinha
    Sports13th February 2021
  • Station reopening at Bow Street brings first trains for 56 years
    UK14th February 2021
  • Manchester United 3-3 Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores late goal to deny hosts
    Sports6th February 2021
  • Super Bowl half-time show: How did The Weeknd do?
    Entertainment8th February 2021
  • LeBron James: NBA superstar’s evolution from high school prodigy
    USA4th March 2021
  • What is Biden doing differently at US border?
    USA3rd March 2021
  • Coronavirus: Texas and other states ease rules despite warnings
    USA3rd March 2021
  • Golden Globe Awards 2021: Stars prepare for virtual ceremony
    USA28th February 2021
  • Les Rehrer says:

    Hello Its me :P and thanks for this post

  • optumrx login says:

    Thank For News.

  • Kent Laatsch says:

    Please let me know if you're looking for a writer…

  • Bob says:

    RT News was where I learned that Erdogan controlled isis.…

Copyright © 2018 Top News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by Wordpress.

Coronavirus: ‘Sacked’ MP resolves dispute with care home
Boris Johnson seeks to head off Brexit rebellion
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok