On Monday 19 November, Warwick Law’s Dr Andreas Kokkinis was interviewed by Russia Today (RT) on the proposed draft Withdrawal agreement. The interview focused on the criticism PM Theresa May has faced on the current Brexit deal and how some members of parliament are arguing that a new deal should be proposed before the March deadline.

Andreas discussed how this may not be possible in such a short space of time and it may be a case of ‘this deal or no deal.’ He also explained how the terms of the agreement do not refer to the future after Brexit but the terms of the divorce itself.

Andreas commented that ‘‘the draft Withdrawal Agreement offers an orderly Brexit and ensures peace in Northern Ireland. It ensures that ongoing judicial and administrative processes at the end of 2020 will not be disrupted and paves the way for the future trade agreement between the UK and EU. It is highly unrealistic that a different withdrawal agreement would be possible.

“The most controversial part of the draft withdrawal agreement is the back stop for Northern Ireland which would effectively keep the whole of the UK in a Single Customs Territory with the EU, if no trade agreement dealing with the issue is reached by the end of 2020.

“An alternative option would be for the UK to seek an extension of the transition period until the end of 2022 to allow more time for the future relationship agreement to be negotiated and ratified.”

Watch the video now!