Johnson gets 2 facts wrong and scores own goal on Northern Ireland in a speech to local activists yesterday. Thread 1/
PM said: “There will not be tariffs or checks on goods coming from GB to NI that are not going on to Ireland.” But new Protocol makes clear that Northern Ireland will follow hundreds of EU rules to do with customs and movement of goods. (see Annex 2) 2/
Among these is a 101 page document “laying down the Union Customs Code” (UCC). (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 ) 3/
Government’s own impact assessment says: “Goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will be required to complete both import declarations and Entry Summary (ENS) Declarations because the UK will be applying the EU’s UCC in Northern Ireland.” (See paragraph 241). 4/
True, goods won't face tariffs unless they are “at risk” of entering the EU. But joint committee of UK and EU will decide post Brexit criteria for risk. So EU will have a veto on the rules. (Protocol, Article 5, para 2). 5/
Johnson said: “There will not be checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.” But his own Brexit secretary was forced to admit to House of Lords that “exit summary declarations will be required in terms of NI to GB." 6/
Government’s impact assessment also admits: “Some practical information will need to be provided electronically on movement of goods West-East.” (Para 239). If there aren't at least spot checks to ensure businesses supply this info, why would they bother? 7/
PM added: “Northern Ireland has got a great deal… You keep access to the single market.” But what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If it’s good for Northern Ireland, why isn’t it good for Wales, Scotland and England? 8/
And if it’s good to stay in single market, wouldn’t it be even better to sit round the EU’s table making its rules - rather than be turned into an EU colony as Northern Ireland would be under Johnson’s deal? 9/
Does the PM understand the divorce deal he has done with the EU? Or is he being deliberately misleading? Here's a piece pulling all this together CORRECT LINK infacts.org/johnson-gets-2… ENDS
