Boris Johnson defends Brexit bill, says EU unreasonable

LONDON: PM Boris Johnson on Monday defended his plan to unilaterally rewrite Britain’s divorce deal with the European Union as an insurance policy against the bloc’s “unreasonable behaviour”. The comments came as a growing number of once-loyal lawmakers condemned the contentious move.
Johnson said a planned law designed to override portions of the Brexit withdrawal deal was needed because the EU might “go to extreme and unreasonable lengths” in its treatment of former member Britain. “I have absolutely no desire to use these measures,” he told lawmakers as he introduced the Internal Market Bill in the House of Commons ahead of a vote. “They are an insurance policy”. The EU has demanded the bill be withdrawn before the end of the month, insisting Britain must uphold its commitments.