Falkirk MP says EU taking legal action against UK over Brexit breach was 'awful inevitability'

The EU’s decision to begin legal proceedings against the UK after it refused to shelve plans to override sections of its Brexit divorce deal was unavoidable, according to Falkirk MP John McNally.

An EU deadline for the government to remove sections of the Internal Market Bill expired on Wednesday.

The “letter of formal notice” could eventually lead to a court case against the UK at the European Court of Justice and Mr McNally says he is not surprised by the EU’s stance.

He also believes the situation lends support to the SNP’s push for Scottish independence.

Mr McNally spoke out in the wake of the move and said: “There's an awful inevitability about news the EU is taking legal action against the UK.

“After the reckless and childish way in which Boris Johnson’s government is handling these serious matters, it doesn’t come as a surprise.

“It will, however, undoubtedly harm our longer term relationship with our European neighbours.

“In the aim to bring Scotland independence from Westminster, we will have to build new bridges abroad. Fortunately, we have good friendships with other similar-sized countries who understand Scotland’s position.

“This is continued proof that we as a nation need to conduct our own affairs away from the reckless mismanagement Westminster imposes on us.”

Despite the EU launching legal proceedings, it has not walked away from talks over a post-Brexit trade deal.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the UK would have until the end of November to respond to the concerns raised over the draft legislation.

Trade talks between Westminster and the EU are continuing in Brussels this week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said both sides should "move on" if a deal was not reached by the middle of this month.

Mrs von der Leyen has described the bill as a "full contradiction" of previous UK commitments over ways of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.

She added the bill was by its "very nature a breach of the obligation of good faith" contained in the withdrawal agreement that took the UK out of the EU in January.

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