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Boris Johnson news: Gove is told EU ‘won’t be shy’ in Brexit legal action, as PM faces rebellion over lockdown rules

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove in Brussels (EPA)
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove in Brussels (EPA)

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has held talks with his EU counterpart in Brussels in a bid to smooth over the dispute over UK plans to rip up parts of the Withdrawal Agreement.

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic told Mr Gove the UK should not use the threat to override the agreement as a “bargaining chip” – and said EU would “not be shy” in taking legal action. Mr Gove said the government would push ahead with the Internal Market Bill.

It comes as Irish premier Micheal Martin said he is “not optimistic” Boris Johnson’s government would be able to strike a post-Brexit deal with the EU. He said his own government was now preparing for the “terrible reality” of a no-deal scenario at the end of 2020.