London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Mar 13, 2026

Suella Braverman plays down resignation talk over Brexit

Suella Braverman plays down resignation talk over Brexit

Suella Braverman has played down the prospect she could resign over new post-Brexit rules for Northern Ireland.

However, the home secretary told GB News she could not support any renegotiated deal that allows the EU a "foothold" in the region.

It comes amid pressure on Rishi Sunak from his backbenchers over the future role of the EU's top court.

Earlier, the PM declined to say what role it might have, telling MPs that talks were still ongoing.

He added that any new set of rules would need to guarantee "sovereignty" for Northern Ireland, without giving further details.

The current rules, known as the Northern Ireland Protocol, were negotiated by Boris Johnson and came into force in 2021.

It has seen Northern Ireland continue to follow some EU laws, to get round the need for checks at the UK's border with the Republic of Ireland.

The extent to which this will continue under any new arrangement has emerged as a key flashpoint for Brexit-backing Tory MPs, as well as the DUP, the region's largest unionist party.

Some Tory MPs have also expressed concern about allowing the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to have the final say on what EU laws mean - a red line for the 27-country bloc.


'Take back control'


Ms Braverman, a staunch Brexiteer, previously resigned from Theresa May's government over her "backstop" proposals to prevent checks, which was ultimately abandoned.

Asked during an interview with GB News whether she could do the same over a new protocol deal, she replied: "I don't think we need to be talking about resignation.

"I've taken a very forthright position in the past because I've found the terms of previous agreements intolerable."

However, she warned she would not support a deal "selling out on Northern Ireland, and allowing the EU a foothold in the United Kingdom".

It was vital, she added, to "safeguard what we've gained from the Brexit vote" and "properly take back control".

"I know the prime minister shares that objective," she added.


Ms Braverman previously chaired the European Research Group (ERG) of Eurosceptic Tory MPs, some of whom have expressed concern about where the current EU talks might end up.

In her GB News interview, she appeared to echo a view expressed by some ERG members that any new agreement will need to have the support of the DUP.

The party is preventing a devolved government being formed in Northern Ireland in protest until its concerns have been addressed.

"Ultimately, Stormont will only function if the DUP supports any proposal," she added.

At Prime Minister's Questions earlier, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said any new deal would have to address the "fundamental constitutional issues" of how EU law applies in the region.

It was unacceptable, he added, that "EU laws are imposed on Northern Ireland with no democratic scrutiny or consent".

Mr Sunak said he had heard the demands "loud and clear", adding that "addressing the democratic deficit is an essential part of the negotiations".

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Royal Navy to Acquire Twenty Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Autonomous Warfare Testing
Russia Summons British and French Envoys After Ukrainian Storm Shadow Strike on Strategic Facility
Starmer Confirms Britain Will Maintain Sanctions on Russia Despite U.S. Policy Shift
UK Moves to Refine AI Definition in Investment Security Reform
UK Economy Stalls in January as Growth Unexpectedly Falls to Zero
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Tesla Secures Approval to Supply Electricity Directly to Homes Across Britain
Prince William Delivers Tribute to Australia’s Naval Alliance Amid Renewed Royal Spotlight on the Country
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ May Be Assisting Iran in Conflict With Trump, UK Defence Secretary Warns
UK Sets April Deadline for Tech Platforms to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
Elon Musk Moves Into Britain’s Energy Market as Tesla Wins Licence to Supply Power
UK Watchdog Warns Fuel Retailers Against Profiteering Amid Iran War Price Surge
Report Claims Iran Used UK Charity Network to Expand Influence
United States and United Kingdom Establish Joint Standards for Counter-Drone Technology
Iran May Be Laying Naval Mines in Strait of Hormuz, UK Warns Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
British Troops in Iraq Intercept Iranian Drones Targeting Coalition Base
Release of Mandelson Files Raises Tensions as UK Seeks Stable Relations With Donald Trump
UK Documents Reveal Starmer Was Warned About Mandelson’s Epstein Links Before Ambassador Appointment
Nearly Five Hundred UK Mortgage Deals Withdrawn in Two Days as Market Volatility Forces Lenders to Reprice
Three Cargo Ships Hit Near Iran as Attacks Spread to Strategic Strait of Hormuz
Why British Police Repeatedly Declined to Investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s UK Links
UK Parliament Ends Hereditary Seats in House of Lords, Closing Chapter on Centuries of Aristocratic Lawmaking
EU and UK Urge Israel to Act Against Rising West Bank Settler Violence Amid Regional Tensions
US Senator John Kennedy Says Keir Starmer Should Not Be Trusted for Military Advice Amid Iran War Debate
UK High Court Rejects Attempt to Revive Terrorism Charge Against Kneecap Rapper
Revolut Secures Full UK Banking Licence After Multi-Year Regulatory Wait
Kentucky’s Bench Boost Powers Wildcats Past LSU in SEC Tournament Opener
British Couple Die After Being Pulled From Water at Australian Beach During Family Visit
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
British Airways Suspends UK Repatriation Flights as Middle East Travel Disruption Deepens
US Forces Prepare Ordnance at RAF Fairford as Strategic Bombers Deploy for Middle East Operations
Nigel Farage Faces Criticism After Saying Britain Should Stay Out of Iran War
Landmark UK Trial Begins Over Sony’s PlayStation Store Pricing
UK High Court Rejects Bid to Challenge Britain’s Chagos Islands Agreement With Mauritius
Finnish Duo Triumphs in England’s Annual Wife-Carrying Race, Winning a Barrel of Ale
How U.S. and UK National Security Strategies Are Reshaping the Global Business Landscape
Green Party Gains Momentum as Labour Shifts Toward the Political Centre
Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon Sets Sail for Eastern Mediterranean as Regional Tensions Rise
UK Homebuilder Persimmon Warns Iran Conflict Could Dent Property Buyer Confidence
Roman Abramovich Signals Legal Fight if UK Seeks to Seize Chelsea Sale Funds
×