Thursday, July 22, 2021

Brexit: Von der Leyen Rejects Boris Johnson Bid to Renegotiate Irish Protocol

Ursula von der Leyen spoke with Boris Johnson at his request for about 30 minutes. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/AP

THE GUARDIAN: EU has already proposed changes to lessen impact on Northern Irish citizens, say officials

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has rejected Boris Johnson’s move to renegotiate the Northern Irish protocol, raising the temperature of a simmering Brexit row.

“The EU will continue to be creative and flexible within the protocol framework. But we will not renegotiate,” she said after a call with the prime minister on Thursday.

EU sources said the call lasted about 30 minutes, and Von der Leyen made clear they spoke at Johnson’s request. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels and Aubrey Allegretti | Thursday, July 22, 2021