London : What is the legal advice? Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General, has drawn up secret legal advice which warns that the UK could be trapped “indefinitely” in a Customs Union after Brexit.
During negotiations with the EU, the UK accepted the need for a “customs backstop” which will kick in if the Irish border issue cannot be resolved.
Under the backstop, the UK will remain in a Customs Union with the EU for an unspecified period. Mr Cox’s legal advice triggered a Cabinet revolt and contributed to the resignation of two Cabinet ministers last month.
How can the UK end the backstop?
The Prime Minister abandoned plans to secure a “unilateral” right to exit the backstop during negotiations with the EU.