Brexit showdown: Furious Britons demand Boris ditches EU for WTO after VDL rejection

Brexit has been a 'pretty big disaster' says Lord Adonis

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Following Lord David Frost’s request to renegotiate a key part of the Brexit deal this week, EU minister Clement Beaune refused to change the Northern Ireland Protocol. Now, Express.co.uk readers have stated the Prime Minister should look to rip up the whole trade deal to protect the UK.

Mr Beaune, a close ally of French President Emmanuel Macron criticised the UK and demanded Westminster respect its own commitments.

He said: “The European Union has dedicated days and nights for the past five years to find pragmatic solutions with the United Kingdom.

“The narrative of a rigid and dogmatic Europe is a tall tale.

“We have been working for months to make the protocol requested by the British government and voted by the British parliament work,” he said.

“We can still work on practical solutions, but not empty the protocol of its substance or renegotiate it.

“How could we renegotiate with a partner that cannot respect its own commitments?”

Express.co.uk readers rolled their eyes at another EU official dismissing calls to fix issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

One user said: ”They never seem to learn by their past mistakes, they have reverted back to ‘talk to the hand’.

“They are leaving the UK no choice again but to revoke the Withdrawal Agreement completely.

“If that means no EU Free Trade Agreement, so be it. They can remove their fishing fleet from UK waters while they are at it.”

Another added: “Well that was expected; The EU always profess to move heaven and earth to find creative ways to make the Protocol work just as long as we obey their commands.

“Bring on the next move.”

One user suggested “we really should break all ties with the EU and trade under World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms”, which would see tariffs automatically applied.

The UK Government voted against WTO in December where an overwhelming majority of MPs backed the Prime Minister’s Brexit trade deal.

Another user took issue with Remainers mocking calls to renegotiate the Northern Ireland Protocol and said: “This endless cry of ‘you signed it’ has to stop.

“Yes, the UK signed it, the UK now can see it made a mistake and wants to rectify it.

“Add to that the UK (and EU) signed the deal with an article that allows suspension of the deal – quite a strong indicator both (both) parties knew the deal had some issues.

“So yes, both parties now should sort it out or throw the deal out. All this ‘ner ner you signed it ner ner’ playground stuff achieves nothing.”

However, others pointed out the UK was aware of the issues with the Protocol before it was enacted at the start of this year.

One user pointed out: “All of those shouting ‘Article 16’ are I’m afraid in the wrong.

“Article 16 is the temporary suspension of the protocol due to unforeseen circumstances.

“Boris knew exactly what the checks would be, how they would applied, and the consequences of them – there is nothing unforeseen about it.

“The NIP is Boris’s creation – the blame lies squarely with him.”

Another reader noted: “Renegotiate a deal that everyone has already agreed to? Nah. We’re good thanks.”

It comes after Journalist Owen Polley suggested the Northern Ireland Protocol was “not about keeping the peace, but the EU exerting control over the UK”.

He noted Lord Frost’s proposals “most significantly” want to do away with customs checks for goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, and to also make sure products from Great Britain should automatically be approved for sale in Northern Ireland, whether or not they meet EU rules.

He said: “There’s no doubt that these ideas, if they were adopted, would ease substantially the worst effects of the Protocol for businesses and consumers in Ulster.

“The glaring problem is that the EU won’t accept the UK’s suggestions, because its intention was never to protect its single market or peace in Northern Ireland.

“The Protocol is a means of exerting ongoing control over the UK and punishing it for its decision to leave.”

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