Our commitment to the Good Friday Agreement must remain resolute. The Government recently brought forward its plans to address concerns in Northern Ireland about their place in the United Kingdom and the impact the Northern Ireland Protocol it has had on NI-GB Trade.

This evening, I had the opportunity to speak during the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Commons. This is of course a complex issue and I listened with particular interest to the differing perspectives that were brought to today’s debate by colleagues from Northern Ireland. I stressed the importance of a strong economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. This is of particular concern in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, which despite its distance from Northern Ireland, is enormously interested in matters of internal and international trade.

Much has been made of the Bill’s compliance with international law. Indeed many of my colleagues raised their concerns with the Bill. While I am persuaded that this Bill should be given the benefit of the doubt, I focused the substance of my speech to express my concerns about the impact of the Bill on our longstanding commitments to international courts of justice.

The complexity of the Bill is clear to everyone and while I await the Bill’s progression through the house, I am keen that we continue to negotiate with our European friends in good faith so that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved for all parties in Northern Ireland.