The controversial Brexit bill aimed to stop EU from 'breaking up the UK'

Former foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer says the United Kingdom’s controversial new Brexit bill is part of their negotiating strategy with the EU to prevent the EU from establishing a trade border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

His comments come after news the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced a new Brexit bill which gives the government power to override parts of the UK’s Brexit agreement and break international law.

“This is part of the negotiating strategy where the UK is making it clear if the negotiations fail, the simple point is that they’re not going to allow the EU to establish a trade border between great Britain, that’s England Scotland and Wales, on the one hand, and Northern Ireland on the other,” Mr Downer told Sky News host Peta Credlin.

“Because the British government understandably argued that the EU would be breaking up the UK if they did that.

“So they’ve introduced this legislation, it’s not going to happen if they reach an agreement with the EU, the legislation will be null and void.

“But if they fail to reach an agreement that just want to guarantee the EU in no way can impose barriers between the mainland of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that’s what it’s all about.”

Mr Downer said the new legislation was a breach of law because it changed withdrawal agreements, however, the British argument was that the EU had reinterpreted the withdrawal agreement in a way inimical to the unity of the United Kingdom.

Видео The controversial Brexit bill aimed to stop EU from 'breaking up the UK' канала Sky News Australia