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Boris Johnson: No support for Brexit deal in the dispute over Northern Ireland
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PETER NICHOLLS / REUTERS
After years of wrangling, the EU and UK have reached an agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Now Boris Johnson speaks up.
The British ex-Prime Minister has sharply criticized the agreement between London and Brussels on new Brexit rules for Northern Ireland.
"It's going to be very difficult for me to vote for something like this myself, because I think we should have done it differently," Johnson said in a speech in London on Thursday.
The current British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, together with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, presented an agreement earlier this week that is intended to end a year-long dispute and simplify trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
But much depends on whether the agreement will appeal to the Protestant DUP party in the British province of Northern Ireland.
Supporters of the union with Great Britain are blocking the formation of a government in protest at the previous regulations.
Regarding Sunak's deal, Johnson said: "Britain won't regain control this way." The promise to gain full access to the rules at home ("Take Back Control") was the central slogan of the Brexit supporters.
The ex-prime minister's word carries weight in the Tory party, and Johnson still has many loyal supporters.
Johnson negotiated the original Northern Ireland Protocol as part of the Brexit deal.
It provides for a customs border between Great Britain and the EU in the Irish Sea.
This is to prevent border controls between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
But the rule brought difficulties, for example with sending parcels, medicines and bringing pets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Sunak wants parliament to vote on his agreement.
A date for this has not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, the DUP wants to examine the text in detail.
Representatives of the party-affiliated think tank Center for the Union reported doubts in the “Belfast Telegraph”.
asc/dpa