Fury as European judges could be allowed to overrule British courts - as part of Keir Starmer's plans for a softer Brexit deal
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European judges could be allowed to overrule British courts as part of Keir Starmer’s plans for a softer Brexit deal. Ministers are considering whether to put elements of Britain’s relationship with the EU back under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in return for a lowering of some trade barriers by Brussels.
![[The ECHR in Strasbourg. Downing Street denied Tory claims that a secret team of Cabinet Office officials working to unpick key elements of Boris Johnson ’s Brexit deal amounts to a ‘surrender squad’]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/20/93208851-14199151-image-a-51_1734381783112.jpg)
Downing Street yesterday denied Tory claims that a secret team of Cabinet Office officials working to unpick key elements of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal amounts to a ‘surrender squad’. But No 10 refused to rule out taking Britain back in to the jurisdiction of the ECJ in some area - reversing a central feature of the current Brexit deal.
![[ERG chairman Mark Francois said that Sir Keir Starmer was 'in his heart of hearts, an ardent Remainer']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/20/93208901-14199151-image-a-52_1734381818068.jpg)
One Whitehall source said that an ‘element of ECJ’ was ‘inevitable’ if ministers want to make progress on softening post-Brexit trade rules. The move came as the European Commission launched fresh legal action against the UK over claims it breached EU rules during the Brexit transition.
In two cases lodged at the ECJ, the Commission claimed that Britain breached free movement and investment rules in late 2020. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said the cases underlined the need to stay out of the court’s jurisdiction. Elements of Britain's relationship with the EU may be placed back under the jurisdiction of the ECJ under Sir Keir Starmer's planned softer Brexit deal.
