During the Scottish Government Debate titled Northern Ireland Protocol Bill which was held in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 29th June, Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, warned of the dangers of the UK Government’s Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
Commenting after the debate Fiona said;
“The implications of this Bill are very real and show that the UK Government are willing to risk a trade war with the EU. I was very pleased that there was an all-Party agreement in the Scottish Parliament to the Government motion being debated calling on the UK and EU to negotiate together to resolve issues. This is also the preference of 74% of people in Northern Ireland where businesses also want to keep it as it is supporting Northern Ireland in accessing the single market and in currently achieving the best economic performance in the UK.
“It is clear that the UK Government are not prepared to honour an internationally recognised legal agreement with the EU in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“The UK Government’s behaviour in acting unilaterally on this could lead to the EU implementing parts of the withdrawal agreement which they have not yet introduced out of a spirit of cooperation. For example, I understand that the European Commission’s Copernicus Programme, which conducts important satellite-based research on issues relating to weather, climate change, the earth and its environment, may now cease to involve the UK.
“The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill will have damaging consequences across the UK and will also lead to the International Standing of the UK being damaged as they continue to ignore international laws and agreements.”
ENDS