MCHAEL Gove has claimed if Tory MPs fail to back the Internal Market Bill, the EU could put “at threat the integrity” of the Union.
The Cabinet Office minister echoed Boris Johnson’s comments that the bloc wants to “carve up” the UK. They are trying to see off a rebellion from Tory MPs who are unhappy that the legislation will breach international law by overriding the Withdrawal Agreement signed by Johnson last autumn.
As well as breaking international law, the Internal Market Bill has been described as a power grab on the devolved nations. The First Minister has warned the bill wants to “cripple” devolution, adding independence is now the only way to save the Scottish Parliament.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson's claim the EU is trying to 'carve up' the UK ridiculed
Gove told BBC Breakfast: "We're doing our part - generously - to help protect the EU's own single market, but we're clear that what we can't have even as we're doing all that is the EU disrupting and putting at threat the integrity of the United Kingdom.
"These steps are a safety net, they're a long-stop in the event, which I don't believe will come about but we do need to be ready for, that the EU follow through on what some have said they might do which is in effect to separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom."
Both Ireland and the EU have warned that Johnson's plans pose a serious risk to the peace process rather than protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
But this morning Johnson said the EU were threatening to put a “blockade” in the Irish Sea which could “seriously endanger peace and stability” in Northern Ireland.
"Let's remove this danger to the very fabric of the United Kingdom. Let's make the EU take their threats off the table. And let's get this bill through, back up our negotiators, and protect our country," he wrote in the Telegraph.
He also held a conference call with around 250 MPs to try and drum up support for the bill, and warned them against a return to the "miserable, squabbling days of last autumn".
But during the call in which there were connection issues and no questions taken by Johnson, further fall-out emerged from the EU.
Leaders in the European Parliament said they would "under no circumstances ratify" any trade deal reached if "UK authorities breach or threaten to breach" the Withdrawal Agreement.
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