Sammy Wilson says Tony Blair and Sir John Major are talking ‘utter bunkum’ over Brexit bill peace process concerns

Boris Johnson is facing mounting criticism over his legislation overriding his Brexit deal, as leaders from across the political spectrum attacked the threat to break international law.

Former prime ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair united to urge MPs to reject the legislation, saying it imperils the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and the UK’s integrity.

But in a hard-hitting response entitled ‘Blair & Major talking utter bunkum’, DUP Westminster Chief Whip Sammy Wilson said: “Tony Blair, John Major and many others with peace process leech tendencies, have re-emerged to claim the Internal Market Bill would damage the Belfast Agreement. Such nonsense.

“The Belfast Agreement contains one substantive mention about the border and that relates to demilitarisation which has already happened. I don’t know of anyone calling for the army to rebuild those installations on the border.

“The Belfast Agreement however is about respecting consensus something which the Withdrawal Agreement ignored and drives a coach and horses through.

“Blair and Major were less outspoken about the impact of a trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom despite its obvious impact on our economy and relationships in Northern Ireland.

“The Internal Market Bill is far from perfect and that’s why we will table amendments to the Bill. The suggestion by the hero of the peace process brigade that the bill rips apart the Belfast Agreement is complete and utter bunkum without any factual basis.

“They need to explain how making it easier for Northern Ireland to do business with our biggest market undermines the Belfast Agreement. They need to explain how Northern Ireland companies having less paperwork undermines the Belfast Agreement.

“They need to explain how our amendment which would ensure the UK sets the rules on state aid in Northern Ireland undermines the Belfast Agreement. Such a tool is vital to help us fend of predatory behaviour from our nearest competitor.

“The Internal Market Bill as published is not the finished product but it is massive step forward for business in Northern Ireland.”

However, senior Conservatives were not backing down on their rebellion against the Prime Minister’s plans despite his warning that Brussels could “carve up our country” without his new Bill.

Tory rebels suggested their numbers were growing and opinions were only hardened by Mr Johnson’s increased rhetoric that the EU could impose a trade border in the Irish Sea.

Sir John and Mr Blair, the former Conservative and Labour leaders, united to condemn Mr Johnson’s controversial UK Internal Market Bill in an article for the Sunday Times.

“We both opposed Brexit. We both accept it is now happening. But this way of negotiating, with reason cast aside in pursuit of ideology and cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy, is irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice,” they said.

“It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal — crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Mr Johnson to throw out clauses that could breach international law and those that lead the devolved administrations to warn of a “power grab” to get Labour support.

“If the Government fixes the substantial cross-party concerns that have been raised about the Internal Market Bill, then we are prepared to back it,” Sir Keir wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

“But if they do not, and the talk collapse, then it is their failure and incompetence that will have let the British people down.”

The newspaper also reported that ministers are considering opt-outs from the Human Rights Act, and that a formal review could be announced in the coming weeks.

The Tory manifesto pledged to “update” the Act after Brexit, but the move is contentious with Brussels and negotiators have expressed concern over the UK’s commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, who is under pressure to explain how Government plans to override elements of the Brexit deal are consistent with obligations under international law, will face questioning from the media on Sunday.

His Labour shadow, Lord Falconer, said: “A future where (the) UK breaks its international law obligations, and opts out of Human Rights protections is a very bad future.”

Despite Mr Johnson’s attempts to drum up support, Tory chairman of the Commons defence committee Tobias Ellwood said on Saturday that he could not support the legislation without it being changed.

“Already this Bill is damaging brand UK, diminishing our role-model status as defender of global standards. As we go to the wire, let’s see more British statecraft – less Nixonian Madman Theory,” he tweeted.

Commons justice committee chairman Sir Bob Neill, who has tabled an amendment which he said would impose a “parliamentary lock” on any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement, said he still contends it contains “objectionable” elements.

Damian Green, who was Theresa May’s deputy when she was prime minister and is backing the amendment, was also understood to not have been won over by Mr Johnson’s argument.

Sir Roger Gale also remained a vehement critic, telling Times Radio: “If anybody is responsible, if it happens, for bringing the union down, it will be (chief aide Dominic) Cummings and Mr Johnson.”