Brexit: clash between Sunak and Starmer on Protocol negotiations

(ANSA) - LONDON, FEBRUARY 22 - A close question and answer during today's Queston Time in the House of Commons between the conservative premier Rishi Sunak, engaged in talks with the EU to reach an agreement on the modification of the Protocol for Northern Ireland, and Labor Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, who asked for clarification on the government's line with regard to the post-Brexit deal.

    "Will the deal he's negotiating require Northern Ireland to follow certain EU laws?" Starmer began.

Faced with this and other requests for details on the negotiations, the prime minister avoided going into detail, stating that "intense discussions" are underway between London and Brussels to "find a satisfactory agreement".

And he assured: "I will continue to fight until there is an agreement".

But the Labor leader has relaunched, underlining the divisions within the majority party, which have emerged in recent days with the criticisms of Brexiteer exponents of Sunak's pragmatic line.

"Will you be honest with them about the role that the European Court of Justice should have in Northern Ireland?" Starmer asked.

    Prime Minister Tory has again underlined the importance of reaching an agreement with Brussels and accused Starmer of having a pro-EU position and not instead focused on defending British interests.

The prime minister also promised that Parliament would vote on the amending agreement.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the Northern Irish unionists of the Dup, also spoke in the Commons debate, asking for a stronger modification of the Protocol before forming a government of national unity in Belfast with the republicans of Sinn Fein as foreseen by the Good Friday Peace Accords.

The priority for his deployment is "to guarantee Northern Ireland's place" in the Kingdom and that there is no imposition of European laws "without democratic control".

(HANDLE).