THE EU’s top Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has sparked fury after reportedly suggesting that the government’s latest Brexit bill was part of an attempt to distract from criticism over its handling of the coronavirus.
Mr Barnier is said to have made the comment on Monday during a meeting with senior diplomats from eight eastern EU member states.
The meeting came after the government announced plans for the Internal Market Bill, which if it came into force would undermine the Brexit withdrawal agreement and breach international law.
The UK has seen one of the world’s highest per capita death tolls from the coronavirus, and Mr Barnier suggested the bill could be an attempt by the government to distract from criticism of its handling of the pandemic, Politico reported.
It comes as Brussels conceded European banks can still trade trillions through the City of London until 2022 — even if there is No Deal.
EU banks faced being cut off from these vital “clearing houses” that is the City’s banking HQs at the end of the year if Brexit trade talks collapse.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said he “expects the Lords to abide by the Salisbury convention,” meaning the House of Lords can’t block the new bill as it is part of the Tory party’s manifesto.
Some peers have, however, threatened to torpedo it after it sailed through its second reading in the Commons.
The Internal Market Bill passed its second reading on Monday with 340 votes to 263 – a majority of 77.
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