The bill, which critics say may be illegal under international law, has come under heavy pressure from Eurosceptics in recent days who want the protocol abolished altogether. Boris Johnson and other top ministers have come under pressure from MEPs and the Democratic Union Party (DUP) to pass legislation that seeks to override the protocol and remove the role of the European Court of Justice. Liz Truss, the secretary of state, and the prime minister met with Bill Cash, an ERG MP, earlier this week to discuss the legislation. The laws were redrafted last week, but cabinet ministers avoided giving the ERG too much leeway. The EU has stepped up its crackdown on UK action in recent weeks, with Irish leaders warning that the withdrawal of the protocol would be a “historic low” in relations, citing the Ukraine war as a reason to international law. Michelle Martin said in a speech to the European Parliament this week that violating the protocol would make the world less secure and that Johnson should not “treat lightly” peace on the island of Ireland. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST However, Conor Burns, Minister for Northern Ireland and Johnson’s ally, said the UK government was “re-calibrating, not tearing up” the protocol. The bill is also opposed by a section of Johnson’s own lawmakers in the Conservative One Nation wing, with former Treasury Secretary Jesse Norman warning Monday that it could be illegal. Dissatisfaction on both sides underscores the difficulty that Johnson may have in passing any legislation through parliament, especially the House of Lords, where the Conservatives do not have a majority.
