London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

EU parliament shelves vote on Brexit deal after UK PM ‘violates’ agreement

EU parliament shelves vote on Brexit deal after UK PM ‘violates’ agreement

The Virgin Islands and other Overseas Territories are not the only ones who have found they are unable to trust the United Kingdom (UK) government of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson ‘aka ‘Boris’.

The European Union (EU) has discontinued plans to approve Johnson’s Brexit deal after Brussels accused the UK of violating the agreement.

PM Johnson violates agreement


The trade deal between the UK and EU has been in provisional force for two months but needs to pass a vote in the European parliament to become permanent.

Leaders of the legislature’s political groups intended to agree a date for the final vote at a meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2021, but instead agreed to hold off after the latest move by the UK, according to The Independent.

On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, Johnson’s government said it would unilaterally change parts of the agreement to better suit UK businesses in Northern Ireland.

“The conference of presidents this morning decided not to agree a date to ratify the TCA [Trade and Cooperation Agreement], pending developments yesterday," The Independent said an EU source told it on March 4, 2021.

“The European parliament leaders want to see where this is going.”

Johnson’s official spokesperson said he was not aware of the Conference of Presidents’ decision, but added: “We want the EU to ratify the TCA as soon as possible.

“We have made clear we will allow for extension to the end of April, but we expect the EU to ratify the deal by that deadline.”

The European Union (EU) has discontinued plans to approve Johnson’s Brexit deal after Brussels accused the UK of violating the agreement.


Legal action


According to The Independent, the European Commission, the bloc's executive, on Wednesday evening, March 3, 2021, pledged legal action after UK ministers said they would extend a ‘grace period’ designed to allow UK supermarkets and suppliers time to adapt to new trade barriers across the Irish Sea.

Maros Sefcovic, vice president of the commission, said that would be a “violation” of the protocol agreed with the UK.

He also warned it would be the “second time that the UK government is set to breach international law”, following a similar row last year.

In a statement the commission said the EU had “strong concerns over the UK’s unilateral action, as this amounts to a violation of the relevant substantive provisions of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the good faith obligation under the withdrawal agreement.”

“This is the second time that the UK government is set to breach international law.

“This also constitutes a clear departure from the constructive approach that has prevailed up until now, thereby undermining … the mutual trust necessary for solution-oriented cooperation.”

UK ‘deeply unhelpful’


The grace period – a temporary relaxation of checks – had been due to expire at the end of this month.

At that point supermarkets in Northern Ireland, which have struggled with supply problems since the government’s Brexit deal came into force on January 1, 2021, had expected to see their woes worsen.

Like Brussels, the Irish government has also criticised the UK government’s plans, branding them “deeply unhelpful”.

UK can’t be trusted


Here in the Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom has been criticised of not living up to its partnership with the Virgin Islands but instead seeks to dictate to it.

The ‘Mother Country’ came under heavy criticism when following the destructive hurricanes of 2017, it was only willing to offer the Virgin Islands a ‘loan guarantee’ while refusing to address concerns with the Protocol for Effective Financial Management which would allow the VI to borrow substantially for its recovery without violating the protocols.

And when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the VI, the UK when approached for financial help, told the VI Government to use its own monies first.

It was; however, quick to support a controversial Commission of Inquiry into governance called by ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who was accused of trying to bully the elected VI government and causing a strain between the government and the people.

The Virgin Islands is supposed to be in a partnership with the United Kingdom (UK); however, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), late last year said the relationship with the UK can hardly be defined as a partnership, since the UK wants to have all the say.


What partnership?


The Virgin Islands is supposed to be in a partnership with the United Kingdom (UK); however, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), late last year said the relationship with the UK can hardly be defined as a partnership, since the UK wants to have all the say.

In fact, he likened the United Kingdom to a bully.

“If that was really what it was, a partnership, I wouldn’t mind it, but I don’t like the idea of being bullied,” Dr Wheatley stated during the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on December 14, 2020.

The Deputy Premier pointed out that the UK continues to stifle the advancement and sustainability of the VI economy, instead of helping to advance it as a true partner should do.

He gave examples such as the holding up of the cannabis legislation, where the VI has already lost major investors, and the pressure on the territory to have public registers of beneficial ownership in financial services, knowing very well that this could be detrimental to the industry in the VI.

Dr Wheatley explained that the Virgin Islands has always been compliant with international regulations regarding financial services; however, the UK continues to harass the OTs to have public registers of beneficial ownership. This is even while the VI has introduced its own search mechanism known as the Beneficial Ownership Secure Search System (BOSS), which has proven to be efficient.

“They changed the goal post on you, we do whatever is required of us,” Dr Wheatley had stated.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
US Administration Under President Donald Trump Reportedly Lifts Ban on Ukraine’s Use of Storm Shadow Missiles Against Russia
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
×