Johnson denies claiming he ‘fostered division’, refusing to condemn fans who instigated England by taking a knee
The President of the European Commission will travel to Dublin on Friday where, among other things, she will discuss the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol with Taoiseach Michael Martin.
Ursula von der Leyen’s visit comes as tensions continue to mount between the UK and the European Union as well as the Republic of the North and Ireland over the implementation of the protocol – actually a border in the Irish Sea.
Speaking before the trip, Mr. Martin said he was . looked forward to chatting with [Ms Von der Leyen] Some important topics on the EU agenda include: COVID-19 and… EU relations with the UK, including ongoing work to implement the protocol”.
Meanwhile, UK ministers have been warned that they risk undermining decentralization if they go ahead with their plans to build new free ports in Scotland and Wales without the support of decentralized governments. Holyrood Affairs Minister Evan Mackie said the funding of the territories proposed by Westminster was “unfair and puts Scottish ports at a disadvantage compared to their English competitors”.
Free ports threaten decentralization after Brexit, warns Scotland and Wales
Scottish government ministers made it clear today that they would “challenge any attempts by the British government”. [freeport] model in Scotland by enacting legislation in developed regions”, emphasizing that such a move would “violate the spirit of the transfer regulation”.
Holyrood Minister Evan McKee issued the warning at the same time that he and Wales ministers sought clarification on the funding of free ports – special economic zones that would provide tax exemptions and lower tariffs as part of Boris Johnson’s “leveling” program. offer.
Scottish and Welsh administrations have said they fear that they will be at a loss at this point in comparison to the funds provided for free ports in England.
However, a UK government source had previously called the Scottish government’s claims “nonsense”. He said: ‘Instead of working constructively with us to create much-needed jobs in Scotland, the Scottish Government will waste time playing the political game. “
Sam HancockJuly 16, 2021 at 8:05 am
Von der Leyen visits Dublin to discuss NI protocol
Ursula von der Leyen is expected to discuss the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol during her visit to Dublin, Republic of Ireland on Friday.
The President of the European Commission will later meet with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin at the Dublin University of Technology, Grangegorman.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Martin said: “I look forward to welcoming President von der Leyen.
“The EU has played an important role throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – responding to the crisis, deploying vaccines and laying the groundwork for a strong economic recovery in Europe, driven by digital transformations and climate change. “
He said: “I look forward to discussing with him some of the important topics on the EU’s agenda, including: COVID-19 and how we can accelerate our vaccination efforts; the protocols that are ongoing to implement EU relations with the UK, including the task; and the package of measures the Commission announced this week to make the EU’s climate ambition a reality.
It comes just a day after Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator David Frost admitted that it was ‘very difficult’ for small businesses to continue trade with Northern Ireland because of the protocol. He said in a parliamentary inquiry yesterday that he had not fully anticipated the “cooling effect” of the new bureaucracy, which is facing higher costs to small businesses.
Sam Hancock16 July 2021 at 8:02 am
hello and welcome independentContinuous coverage of UK politics. The Brexit crisis continues with Ursula von der Leyen traveling to Dublin later today to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Sam Hancock16 July 2021 at 7:53 am
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