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12 Mar, 2019 12:05

‘Bollocks’: UK top lawyer slams British journalist who claimed he found PM's Brexit deal invalid

‘Bollocks’: UK top lawyer slams British journalist who claimed he found PM's Brexit deal invalid

The UK government’s chief law officer has tweeted a nonsense rebuttal to a leading British journalist’s claims that he was told to find a way to say yes to PM May’s new Brexit deal, after assessing changes as non-legally binding.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC branded these assertions from Channel 4 News anchor, Jon Snow, as well as claims the legal world were aware that Cox had said “no” to the “validity” of May’s new deal, as “bollocks.”

The fallout came in the aftermath of PM Theresa May reaching an agreement with the EU on Monday night, which she insists secures “legally binding” changes to the contentious Irish backstop.

Cox’s blunt response has prompted both dismay and amusement on Twitter. TV presenter Piers Morgan urged the government’s top lawyer to “stop abusing people” and “do your damn job.” Others cheekily asked Cox whether “bollocks” was legal language or if it was his assessment of Brexit.

In a letter this morning, the Attorney General ostensibly delivered a blow to May’s agreement. Cox conceded that the “legal risk remains unchanged” in the modified Brexit deal and the UK would have no legal means of exiting without EU agreement.

It comes as British lawmakers will vote on Tuesday evening whether to back May’s new deal or not, which was comprehensively rejected the first time round in January.

The prime minister will be hoping these additions will be enough to convince influential Tory hardline Brexiteers and the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to tilt the vote in her favour and avoid the prospect of a no-deal scenario.

Also on rt.com Second time still no charm? UK Parliament expected to reject PM’s Brexit deal again

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned before the vote that it would be the last chance for Britain to pass a negotiated divorce with the EU before the Marсh 30 deadline.

“There will be no third chance,” the top European official said. “There will be no further interpretations of the interpretations; no further assurances of the re-assurances – if the meaningful vote tomorrow fails.”

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