THE EU has launched legal action against the UK over Boris Johnson’s plans to break international law.
Tory ministers have signalled they will tear up elements of the package relating to Northern Ireland in the UK Internal Market Bill, which cleared the Commons this week.
The European Union had called for the UK to withdraw the elements of the legislation which would breach international law by the end of September.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen how now announced she is commencing infringement proceedings.
The Brussels chief has sent a “letter of formal notice” to Downing Street. The document is the first step in a legal process that could end up with a lawsuit at the European Court of Justice.
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Von der Leyen said: "We had invited our British friends to remove the problematic parts of their draft Internal Market Bill by the end of September.
“This draft bill is, by its very nature, a breach of the obligation of good faith laid down in the Withdrawal Agreement. Moreover, if adopted as is it will be in full contradiction of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
"The deadline lapsed yesterday, the problematic provisions have not been removed.
"Therefore this morning the commission have decided to send a letter of formal notice to the UK Government. This is the first step in an infringement procedure."
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The European Commission president said the letter gave Boris Johnson's government a month to send its response.
"The commission will continue to work hard towards a full and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. We stand by our commitments."
A UK Government spokesman said they would respond to the letter "in due course".
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the latest development reinforced the reality that Scotland must become independent if it is to avoid Boris Johnson's "extreme Brexit disaster".
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