LONDON (dpa-AFX) – The UK’s top court has rejected objections to Britain’s Brexit deal with the EU for Northern Ireland. Unionist politicians had claimed that the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol violated a law that, among other things, stipulates free trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The judges at the Supreme Court in London saw things differently on Wednesday.
The Northern Ireland Protocol is intended to ensure free trade between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland even after Brexit. However, this has created a customs border between the province and the rest of the UK, causing trade difficulties in some areas. This is a thorn in the side of the mostly Protestant supporters of the union with Great Britain. They fear the protocol will encourage reunification of Northern Ireland and Ireland. London and Brussels are currently negotiating changes to the protocol.
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