Theresa May has reportedly backed down to angry hardline Brexiters over their amendments to the government’s customs bill.
Politics Home reporter Emilio Casalicchio revealed that the Government is going to accept all four ERG amendments to the bill.
The European Research Group (ERG) is fronted by Jacob Rees Mogg who spoke out about a “breakdown in trust” following the Chequers negotiations.
His outburst appeared to have been slammed down by May after she warned Brexit MPs to get on side with the deal this weekend. But subsequent revelations tell a different story, with May conceding on several key amendments which could derail a deal with the EU and effectively kill off her Chequers plan.
One of the amendments will prohibit the UK collecting tax or duties on behind of another territory “without reciprocity”, which would block the current proposal of a “facilitated customs arrangement” which aims to collect taxes after Brexit – on behalf of the EU – for goods passing through the UK en route to the continent.
A second amendment orders the government to commit itself in law not to allow a customs border down the Irish Sea.
A third amendment would force the Government to commit to having separate VAT regime from the EU.
A final one would force the Prime Minister to draw up primary legislation if she wants to remain in the EU’s customs union.