Boris Johnson's plan to tear up Northern Ireland Brexit deal clears first Commons test by 74

Boris Johnson's plan to tear up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol has cleared their first Commons hurdle, amid a backlash from Tory MPs who claimed it is 'illegal'. In a withering intervention, the ex-prime minister told MPs the Government's bid to take unilateral action over the Northern Ireland Protocol was illegal and warned it will 'diminish' the UK's global standing. Boris Johnson's bid to effectively tear up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol has cleared its first Commons hurdle, amid Tory warnings the plans are illegal In a withering intervention, Theresa May told MPs the Government's bid to take unilateral action over the Northern Ireland Protocol was illegal The House of Lords is also expected to contest parts of the Bill, setting up a lengthy showdown between the two Houses. Former Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell admitted the EU was 'not being particularly constructive' but warned the Bill 'trashes our international reputation, it threatens a trade war, it puts us at odds with our closest ally' The Government has argued the measures to remove checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are necessary to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement Boris urges focus on Ukraine as Tory rebels demand Cabinet coup Boris Johnson is urging a focus on Ukraine today as Tory rebels urge the Cabinet to stage a coup in the wake of the by-election disasters.