BBC-EU Doc: NIP Breach Sees EU 'Respond Firmly w/Legal, Political Tools'

Jessica Parker at the BBC tweets: "The EU will use “the legal & political tools at its disposal” if the UK takes unilateral action on the NI Protocol, according to a confidential document. The paper's for member states, about lines to take. While much of it repeats public statements, it also says, "Should the UK chose a path of unilateral action, the EU will have to respond firmly, using the legal and political tools at its disposal."

• The issue of Brexit and the controversial Northern Ireland protocol has been thrust back into the political limelight in recent days.
• UK gov't has refused to rule out brining forward legislation to unilaterally disapply the protocol to ensure no customs checks or different laws for Northern Ireland to rest of UK. UK gov't also raised issue of major unionist anger towards protocol and potential risk to Belfat/Good Friday agreement with EU & Irish gov't.
• EU has warned UK NIP jettisoning would be a breach of international law. Would risk major backlash, potential trade war.