DOWNING Street officials have said that the UK Government signed last year's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in a rush.
A spokesperson said the deal was "agreed at pace at the most challenging political circumstances".
READ MORE: Tories admit they're going to break law 'in limited way' with Brexit power grab
They added: "The withdrawal agreement and Northern Ireland protocol aren’t like any other treaty. It was agreed at pace at the most challenging political circumstances to deliver on a clear political decision of the British people.
“It was always written on the basis of the joint committee process where we would sit down with the EU and work through some of the ambiguities within.”
Ministers are adding new laws that re-interpret the withdrawal treaty to the Internal Market Bill, due to be tabled in the Commons today.
The legislation, which has been branded a “power grab” on Holyrood by the Scottish Government, aims to ensure goods from any UK nation can have unfettered access to any other nation.
On the Internal Market Bill's “notwithstanding" provisions, the No 10 spokesperson added: “We are taking limited and reasonable steps due to exceptional circumstances we find ourselves in."
Scotland’s Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said the legislation showed the the UK is “not a genuine partnership of equals”.
On Monday Number 10 yesterday insisted the new powers were “limited” and were needed to bring clarity to the protocol, but the plans have sparked anger in Brussels and among opposition politicians.
The UK Government's top lawyer quit his job due to a dispute with Downing Street over the matter.
Jonathan Jones was apparently “very unhappy” about the move.
READ MORE: UK Government's top lawyer quits over Boris Johnson's Brexit plans
At PMQs Boris Johnson said the bill was about protecting the economy and should be welcomed across the UK.
He claimed attacks on the bill are “totally illogical” and confirmed the Government will press ahead with its plans. He said the legislation represents a significant transfer of powers and sovereignty to Holyrood.
But SNP Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, could be heard calling the PM a lying “charlatan” during his response.
READ MORE: PMQs: Ian Blackford brands Boris Johnson a liar over power grab plan
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