Is Boris Johnson right to intervene in Rishi Sunak's Brexit talks? Take our poll

20 February 2023 , 17:22

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former PM Boris Johnson. (Image: Ben Stansall/AP/REX/Shutters?tock/PA Wire)

Boris Johnson has urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not to ditch parts of the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill - but was he right to intervene?

The legislation is part of the trading arrangement which allows goods to be transported across the Irish land border without the need for checks. It has been a source of tension since it came into force at the start of 2021 as there have been checks on goods travelling to and from Great Britain.

The UK has been locked in talks with the EU over the protocol, which has left Northern Ireland without a functioning government with the DUP blocking the formation of a power sharing executive at Stormont until the issue is resolved.

Amid rumours of a deal, Boris Johnson warned the PM it would be a 'great mistake' to surrender legislation allowing the UK to alter parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol by itself - but was he overstepping the mark?

If you can't see the poll, click here

Boris Johnson attacks Rishi Sunak's failure to send fighter jets to Ukraine

A senior Tory source has lashed out at Boris's intervention, blasting it as 'hypocritical'. They said: "Boris warning the government not to do exactly what he did to get a good deal with the EU is very Boris."

BoJo's intervention on post-Brexit trading arrangements has also been criticised as 'not entirely helpful' by Commons leader Penny Mordaunt.

What do YOU think? Is Boris right to step in over Rishi Sunak's Brexit talks? Take our poll above and expand on your decision in the comments below

Paul Speed