What happened to Boris Johnson’s ‘oven-ready’ Brexit deal? - BBC Newsnight

Is the government getting ready to tear up a treaty its already signed to get the Brexit it wants? Subscribe to our channel here: goo.gl/31Q53F
Ministers are planning new legislation that could override a key part of last year's EU withdrawal agreement.
The move could change the nature of new Northern Ireland customs arrangements intended to prevent a return to checks at the border with the Irish Republic.
Downing Street said it was a standby plan in case EU-UK trade talks fail.
Boris Johnson said that, if a trade deal is not reached by 15 October, both sides should "move on", which would still be a "good outcome".
Is this an attempt to torpedo the whole process? And is this bluff or a declaration of intent?
Political Editor Nick Watt reports. Mark Urban is joined by chair of the committee on the future relationship with the EU Hilary Benn, member of the European parliament's UK coordination group Philippe Lamberts and chair of the pro-Brexit group Lawyers for Britain Martin Howe QC.
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
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[@nickwilliams8302]

The EU has (unlike the UK) been preparing for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit for years. It's also made it clear that it is not willing under any circumstances to give the UK the benefits of EU membership once it is not a member: they're willing to cut a deal, but it will be a worse deal. While they don't

[@erikj123]

The UK says they are out, and the EU should respect that the UK is now an independent country. Out means also that they will lose access to the single market 2021.01.01. If the UK wants to keep access to the single market, then they have to respect the EU's conditions to do so. And if the UK wants to be a credible independent country, it has to respect signed agreements.

[@Fatgeologist]

I am totally ashamed of being British at the moment.

[@larslarsen5414]

After following the Brexit debate for three years (sitting with my popcorn here in Copenhagen) I suddenly realize that what is actually even more important than having a free democracy, is having a well functioning free press.

[@xyzzdoe3674]

UK was always a sovereign country, even before signing the agreement.

[@alanmcm]

UK negotiators seem to believe that the UK is still in the Union. It is not just the UK that is a sovereign state.

[@richardmurphy9006]

Laws for thee but not for me

[@flankspeed]

This 'oven-ready' deal looks increasingly like a recipe for chicken sushi.

[@aidencurl2532]

December 2019: "we have an oven ready Brexit deal"

[@thetowerfantasymusic]

Short answer: There never was one.

[@ericsmartman]

Boris negotiated the document and signed it .... well that is a valid argument ....!

[@martycrow]

Make an enemy of your family and friends in the hope that you will find comfort in the arms of strangers. Oh, wait! That's a bit like BoJo's family life!

[@jebbo-c1l]

you were always an independent state stop being so hysterical ffs

[@MrJhoskarson]

Uk want the EU to bend the rules for our own satisfaction while EU just want to protect the integrity of the market... we are laughing stock by just playing the blaming game !!!

[@ilokivi]

Johnson's 'oven ready deal' has gone up in flames.

[@eriktorgler7748]

Martin Howe is deliberately misunderstanding how this agreement was reached. As Hillary Ben said, the UK freely entered into this deal as a sovereign country, including the resolution process, and thus consented to the processes to change the deal. They cannot now say that they are unhappy with the deal that they decided to sign and unilaterally change it. If they do that, they will be unable to agree trade deals with any other country or trading bloc on the face of the Earth.

[@philipberthiaume2314]

Dear UK:. We here in North America value peace in Ireland far above any Brexit and trade deals...

[@johnmartinmcnally7113]

UK: you can't tell us what to do, we're a sovereign state again and no longer bound by the silly rules of this elitist members-only country club.

[@TheSilence420i]

If Westminster has the power to decide on it's own to tear up an agreement made by two parties, then so does the government in Scotland to do the damned same and demand their independence as an independent state from the UK

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

Living as a Dane in Denmark there’s a few questions I would like to ask you Brits about in connection with Brexit and a no deal scenario.