UK Gov't Says Controversial UKIM Clauses Will Be Dropped If Deal Reached

The UK gov't has issued a statement following the conclusion of the EU-UK Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol meeting held today.

• The statement says clearly that if a deal is reached between the UK and the EU, the UK gov't would drop the controversial clauses in the UK Internal Markey bill that threatens to override the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, in breach of international law. Could give some further impetus to reaching a deal in the coming hours/days.
• "If the solutions being considered in those discussions are agreed, the UK Government would be prepared to remove clause 44 of the UK Internal Market Bill, concerning export declarations. The UK Government would also be prepared to deactivate clauses 45 and 47, concerning state aid, such that they could be used only when consistent with the United Kingdom's rights and obligations under international law."
• "Talks continue this afternoon. In the light of those discussions, the Government will keep under review the content of the forthcoming Taxation Bill."