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Former UK prime minister David Cameron arriving at Downing Street last November. Jonathan Brady/PA Images

Brexit rebellion: David Cameron raises concerns over controversial bill, making a clean sweep of former PMs

Former attorney general Geoffrey Cox has also described it as ‘unconscionable’

LAST UPDATE | 14 Sep 2020

FORMER UK PRIME Minister David Cameron has said he has “misgivings” about Boris Johnson’s Brexit plans, becoming the fifth former prime minister to speak out against the UK Internal Market Bill. 

The bill is to be debated in the House of Commons today amid growing criticism that breaching international law would jeopardise the UK’s reputation. 

The bill seeks to override the Brexit divorce deal agreed with between the EU and the UK, with the UK government admitting it would break international law. 

Theresa May MP spoke out against the plan in parliament last week while the other living PMs, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major, have also spoken out against it in the media.  

In mild criticism today, Cameron joined the former prime ministers in saying he was concerned about the plans. 

“Passing an act of parliament and then going on to break an international treaty obligation is the very, very last thing you should contemplate, it should be an absolute final resort. So I do have misgivings about what’s being proposed,” he said.

Cameron went on to suggest however that Johnson’s plans may be part of a negotiation strategy. 

I would just make this point, so far what’s happened is the government has proposed a law that it might pass or might not pass or might use or might not use depending on whether sudden certain circumstances do or do not appear. And of course the bigger picture here is we are in a vital negotiation with the European Union to get a deal. And I think we have to keep that context, that big prize in mind and that’s why I’ve been perhaps held back from saying more up to now. 

The intervention comes as Johnson’s former attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, has said it would be “unconscionable” to override the Brexit divorce deal, as the Tory rebellion against the controversial legislation grew.

The Tory MP said there is “no doubt” the “unpalatable” implications of the Withdrawal Agreement were known when the Prime Minister signed it, a time when Cox was the chief law officer.

The Brexiteer warned he would not back the UK Internal Market Bill unless ministers dispel the impression they plan to “permanently and unilaterally” rewrite an international agreement.

The QC, who was attorney general during the unlawful suspension of Parliament, said tariffs and customs procedures on certain goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain were part of the deal.

“There can be no doubt that these were the known, unpalatable but inescapable, implications of the agreement,” he wrote in The Times.

He said if the powers in the Bill were used to “nullify those perfectly plain and foreseeable consequences” then it would amount to the “unilateral abrogation of the treaty obligations” signed in October.

“It is unconscionable that this country, justly famous for its regard for the rule of law around the world, should act in such a way,” he said.

Cox urged ministers to use the “clear and lawful” options under the agreement to remedy their concerns that food imports may be blocked from Britain to Northern Ireland.

Or, “in extremis”, he said, they could take “temporary and proportionate measures” during an independent arbitration process.

“What ministers should not do, however provoked or frustrated they may feel about an impasse in negotiations, is to take or use powers permanently and unilaterally to rewrite portions of an international agreement into which this country freely entered just a few months ago,” he said.

UK Justice Secretary Robert Buckland had earlier said the controversial powers amounted to a “break the glass in emergency provision if we need it” and said he did not believe they would be used.

He said, during questioning on The Andrew Marr Show, that he would resign “if I see the rule of law being broken in a way I find unacceptable”, and insisted ministers were committed to getting a trade deal with the EU.

But the chances of the deed free trade deal being struck were hanging in the balance, with Downing Street’s chief negotiator Lord Frost heading to Brussels for informal talks this week.

Johnson warned that Brussels could “carve up our country” without his new Bill, as he stepped up his rhetoric as senior Tories prepared to rebel against the legislation.

Outrage at the Bill has come from across the political spectrum, including from Conservative former prime ministers Theresa May, John Major and Lord Howard.

John and fellow former PM Tony Blair united to urge MPs to reject the “shaming” legislation, saying it imperils the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and the UK’s integrity.

“It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and negotiations for a trade deal – crucial though they are. It questions the very integrity of our nation,” they wrote in the Sunday Times.

Despite Johnson’s attempts to drum up support, Tory rebels suggested their numbers were growing and opinions were only hardened by Johnson’s increased rhetoric.

The Prime Minister, with a large Commons majority, should win an expected vote of the Bill’s principles during the second reading of the Bill today. 

But a rebellion could come later with Commons justice committee chairman Bob Neill’s amendment, which he said would impose a “parliamentary lock” on any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement.

Labour minister Rachel Reeves said the party would “need to look at the detail” of Bob’s amendment and said Labour MPs will table amendments of their own.

She told the Marr show that Labour will vote against the Government’s Bill if it still contains clauses overriding the Withdrawal Agreement.

- With reporting by Press Association

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46 Comments
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    Mute Dermot McL
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    Sep 14th 2020, 7:20 AM

    Johnson going down the “fake news” route. Surprise surprise

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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:17 AM

    @Dermot McL:

    UK Gov mouthpiece Marr on BBC was fairly handed his behind on a plate yesterday by Coveney in that interview, when he started on the ‘blockade by EU’ line of questioning.

    I suppose where the Brits are coming from with their Internal Market Bill is an argument of what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander!

    Two entities, one small, one large, trying to protect their internal markets, with Northern Ireland being centrally connected in that Venn diagram!

    Clever strategy if they consider being boxed in by last year’s Withdrawal Agreement, notwithstanding that International Law is being broken. Given the fact Lewis & co were so upfront about the planned law-breaking in the Commons last week,Tories must feel on very solid ground on the issue.

    Who is the one snookered?

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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:26 AM

    @Rory J Leonard: it’s clear that the UK isin a mess and that Brexit will cause it’s demise. Johnson wants to be seen to be the Knight who tried to halt the tide and when his Bill is scuppered he’ll say It wasn’t Me, I tried, blame the ones who stopped it.
    Then NI will be set adrift and Scotland will take the road to independence.
    Historic times we live in, witnessing the final capitulation of an Empire on which the Sun never set.

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    Mute Fergus Jones
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    Sep 14th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Rory J Leonard: What solid ground ?

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    Mute Mike Moran
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    Sep 14th 2020, 11:52 AM

    @Rory J Leonard: You must be joking the BBC are the most left wing corporation in the UK

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    Mute Theportobello
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    Sep 14th 2020, 1:13 PM

    @Mike Moran: that’s the beauty of it Mike. The right think the BBC are left wing and the left, right! The logical conclusion is that it’s reasonably balanced in the middle which is it’s purpose. Those on the far left & right would much rather have Fox News style garbage as they are incapable of hearing what they don’t want to hear – otherwise known as facts!

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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:18 PM

    @Theportobello: Absolute nonsense You dont have a clue do you . The BBC is largely a left leaning corporation . Anti tory and anti Trump . Try posting real facts

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    Mute Andy Dillon
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    Sep 14th 2020, 7:17 AM

    Shocking the leader of the Labour party is sitting on the fence on this. Very disappointing.

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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Sep 14th 2020, 7:28 AM

    @Andy Dillon: maybe they are following the Napoleon Bonaparte Quote of “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,

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    Mute James Gorman
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    Sep 14th 2020, 7:53 AM

    @Andy Dillon: no hes right to leave the mess to Tories. Clever tactic.

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    Mute Aidan Mitchell
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:33 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: 100%

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    Mute David Clements
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:25 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: spot on. When the Tories are in a heap and the unprecedented interventions of all former PMs has happened, there is no need to do anything except wait

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    Mute Cowboy Paddy
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    Sep 14th 2020, 2:59 PM

    @Andy Dillon:
    No need.. What does he say?
    “When I am PM, I will not break the law.”

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    Mute Rúraíocht
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    Sep 14th 2020, 8:24 AM

    “Good faith” … British style.

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    Mute Hup Abù
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    Sep 14th 2020, 11:02 AM

    @Rúraíocht: “A call to free all small nations” ha!

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    Mute Barry Teehan
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:14 AM

    “It is unconscionable that this country, justly famous for its regard for the rule of law around the world, should act in such a way,” Said Cameron. Famous for its regard for the rule of law around the world ??? Is this a p1sstake ?

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    Mute James Walsh
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:44 AM

    @Barry Teehan: That was the AG I think?

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    Mute James Brady
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:51 AM

    @James Walsh: They’re ALL very naughty boys.

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    Mute David Clements
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:26 AM

    @Barry Teehan: well you can hardly accuse the Empire of being lax in their application of THEIR laws around the world.

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    Mute Barry Teehan
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:34 AM

    @James Walsh: you’re right. I misread the article and got lost in who was who in the whole blame game that is the mess that it is.

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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Sep 14th 2020, 7:50 AM

    I suspect ‘‘tis all cloak and daggers. This latest controversy is designed to create panic in the EU whilst appearing bold and independent to their base. Cummings aim was to break up Whitehall…. job done. Johnson didn’t care about anything except being PM…. job done.
    Neither have long term goal strategies beyond what they have achieved thus far. Both will resign in or before the New Year.

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    Mute James Walsh
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:44 AM

    @2thFairy: I don’t see either resigning very easily, BoJo wanted to be PM since childhood and Cummings didn’t resign over his violation of the Covid lockdown (unlike Phil Hogan!). It would probably take a vote of no confidence in the Commons to bring down Boris?

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:35 AM

    @2thFairy: except that the EU is not in a panic. The EU has moved on and is quite happy to let the UK keep creating its own mess.

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    Mute TheITGuy
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:33 AM

    Let’s not forget Cameron initiated Brexit.

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    Mute Link
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:41 AM

    @TheITGuy: He gave the electorate too much credit, it was initially to shut up the like of Farage et al. He actively campaigned to remain and then stood down as he couldn’t in good conscience go through with it. He’s still a tw@ mind you.

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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:35 AM

    @Link: was it f00k. Nothing happens by accident

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    Mute Mike Moran
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:06 AM

    It’s no surprise they are all remoaners.

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    Mute James Walsh
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:45 AM

    @Mike Moran: As opposed to moaning trolls such as yourself!

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    Mute Mike Moran
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:34 AM

    @James Walsh: James, The times is not far away when Ireland will have to make a decision either to stay with the corrupt Eurocrats or join their nearest trading partner. All you need to do is spend a few hours at the port of Dublin. If we can’t continue the trade with the UK that presently exists then our exports and country is doomed.

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    Mute Mick.
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:54 AM

    @Mike Moran: Hmm. Hard choice that! Stay in a free market of 500 Million with trade deals with most of the world or go with a failing market of 60 Million, who have shown the world that contracts mean noting to them and trust is non existent with no current signed trade deals with any major players.
    I wonder which the Irish population will choose????

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    Mute NotMyPresident
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    Sep 14th 2020, 11:02 AM

    @Mike Moran: what a thoroughly ridiculous statement. EU 540 million strong market no tariffs etc for the Irish versus a piddly 60 million soon to be reduced by scottish independence and Irish reunification and possibly welsh sheep realizing they’re screwed falling apart at the seams little englanders.

    Get real troll.

    More ports is what will happen, better ports, more employment at them. Avoid land bridge and isolate little englanders, let them eat cake as Marie Antoinette would say.

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    Mute Mike Moran
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    Sep 14th 2020, 11:55 AM

    @Mick.: How do you get there if the land bridge through the UK is removed.

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    Mute Mike Moran
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    Sep 14th 2020, 12:09 PM

    @NotMyPresident: You’re now resorting to calling Welsh people sheep. Furthermore as for the troll comment You obviously don’t accept anyone else’s opinion but you’re own.

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    Mute Damian Moylan
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    Sep 14th 2020, 12:15 PM

    @Mike Moran: You make a good point. Unless Ireland addresses 1) shipping lanes directly to the Eu 2) electricity inter-connector with France (Uk has only 5% surplus even without EV’s) and 3) build an LNG gasification plant we are indeed in the height of trouble.

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    Mute Robert Preston
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:28 PM

    @NotMyPresident: You come across as a self righteous tw$t

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    Mute NotMyPresident
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:47 PM

    @Robert Preston: we must treat liddle englanders as we do Covid-19 isolate, starve of ability of cause further trouble and be rid of them. De Gaulle had it right 50+ years ago they should never have been let in to the club.

    Once this current ffg disgrace of a ‘government’ wake up to the fact that isolation is the answer and start developing and enhancing our port capabilities then the land bridge becomes irrelevant. More investment, more jobs and no more dependence on the likes of bojo

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    Mute NotMyPresident
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:47 PM

    @Robert Preston: we must treat liddle englanders as we do Covid-19 isolate, starve of ability of cause further trouble and be rid of them. De Gaulle had it right 50+ years ago they should never have been let in to the club.

    Once this current ffg disgrace of a ‘government’ wake up to the fact that isolation is the answer and start developing and enhancing our port capabilities then the land bridge becomes irrelevant. More investment, more jobs and no more dependence on the likes of bojo

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    Mute NotMyPresident
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:47 PM

    @Robert Preston: we must treat liddle englanders as we do Covid-19 isolate, starve of ability of cause further trouble and be rid of them. De Gaulle had it right 50+ years ago they should never have been let in to the club.

    Once this current ffg disgrace of a ‘government’ wake up to the fact that isolation is the answer and start developing and enhancing our port capabilities then the land bridge becomes irrelevant. More investment, more jobs and no more dependence on the likes of bojo the clown gove cummings et al

    1
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    Mute Mick Tobin
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:09 AM

    Tories say the bill is a safety net in case trade talks fail. Well, that was the point of the withdrawal agreement in the first place, wasn’t it. To sort the border issue as a precaution, and so it wouldn’t be used a pawn in trade negotions.

    So the British safety net consists in cutting up the safety net…

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    Mute J
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:39 AM

    Cameron was always one to read the room correctly. Not.

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    Mute Matthew Gorman
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    Sep 14th 2020, 9:04 AM

    Anything to sell newpapers

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Sep 14th 2020, 10:33 AM

    BJ/Cummings is right and every other PM is wrong. Good one.

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    Mute Ken Fitzsimons
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    Sep 14th 2020, 11:14 AM

    When the goin gets tough. Cameron gets goin

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    Mute William Kelly
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    Sep 14th 2020, 2:09 PM

    The Intern Market bill is stated to apply ” disapplications” to the Brexit treaty, ” to secure the United Kingdom from attack by foreign powers.
    Fact 1, the Brexit tremors have disturbed the foundations of the UK, caused by purely internal British political activity, &despite external advice.
    Fact2, From 1921 Ireland has always proclaimed the objective of unifying the country, & has reframed the constitutional objective to a consensual process, most definitely not an attack,as propogated by hard Brexiteers.
    Fact3, Scotland has also had internal independence demand pre Brexit, with no foreign influence.
    We may conclude that BoJo & co, having rocked the UK vessel of state, are now embarked on the final coup d’etat, both to jettison NI, provoke Scottish UDI,& frame it all as an EU attack.

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    Mute John Nolan
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    Sep 14th 2020, 5:18 PM

    Has Britain an opposition party??

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    Mute Seán Marlow
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    Sep 16th 2020, 10:58 PM

    The British government criminality shown on Unquiet Graves really does make the lawbreaking of the Internal Markets Bill feel “specific and limited”

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