In the long list entitled 'Wait, what the f*ck has the government done now?', actually admitting they were intending to break the law was not an entry most people expected to see. Yep! Northern Ireland Secretary, Brendan Lewis has admitted that the new Internal Markets Bill will "break international law in a very specific and limited way". Basically they are going to break an internationally agreed treaty negotiated by the UK (Boris's oven-ready EU Withdrawal Agreement) by creating powers for Ministers to reinterpret said treaty and... break it. Following the Philippines President Duterte in admitting you kill suspected drug dealers, this most certainly isn't. But it's really not good for the government to admit they intend to break the law when they are the entity which is charged by the whole country, constitution, kit and caboodle, above anything else, with IMPLEMENTING. THE. LAW.
And will someone please think of the Ambassadors! Next time they go to criticise China for its treatment of the Uyghurs or urge Iran to abide by the nuclear deal, they will have Brendan Lewis' sorry admission quoted back to them faster than you can say "Ferrero Rochet".
The extraordinary admission was coaxed out by Bromley Conservative MP, Bob Neil. As soon as he heard it he looked like he wanted to un-hear it. This crow was surprised that he didn't channel the spirit of comedy giant and former teacher, Greg Davis:
"I'm sorry Minister, were you about to admit to breaking international law? Coz no one is supposed to admit they are breaking international law. So I'll ask you again Minister, 'will this break international law?' and you will reply 'No, the government tripped, sir'.".
Of course the connections between domestic and international law are complex and 'breaking international law in a specific and limited way sounds quite technical. This admission is not to be confused with that time Dominic Cummings was conducting an eye test at Barnard Castle in a specific and limited illegal way. Or breaking Boris Johnson's personal Conservative Manifesto commitment to get 'our new deal through Parliament' in a specific and limited way by.... legislating it back out of parliament...
The Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland, a man who has the demeanour of a cross between an ewok and a train spotter, has jumped up to defend the government line but there is a growing number of political figures who are deeply concerned. The government's Head of the Legal Department has resigned and numerous Conservative MPs have abstained on the bill or criticised the government.
Priti Patel is said to be conflicted over the argument. On the one hand, she has never been one for international law, having lobbied the Israeli military on land not recognised by the UK government when she was a Minister. On the other, she would love any excuse to arrest some of her cabinet colleagues just for shits and giggles.
Along with former Tory Attorneys General and party leaders, all living former Prime Ministers including 3 Conservatives have criticised Boris's move. Even everyone's famous moral herald Tony Blair, What's the one thing he is famous for above all else? Yes him! He has criticised the government for threatening to break international law!
Perhaps as the government announces further COVID restrictions it could announce an alternative rule of 6: if 5 prime ministers disagree with a decision then maybe it's time for the 6th to reconsider?
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