Amal Clooney QUITS as UK envoy over Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan to break international law

Top international lawyer Amal Clooney blasted Boris Johnson’s ‘lamentable’ Brexit plans today as she quit as a UK Government envoy on media freedom.

The top human rights expert and wife of actor George Clooney announced she was quitting the high profile post over Mr Johnson’s intention to bring in new legislation  that would over-ride part of the Withdrawal Agreement he signed last year.

Mrs Clooney said she was ‘disappointed’ to have to resign because ‘I have always been proud of the UK’s reputation as a champion of the international legal order, and of the culture of fair play for which it is known’.

‘However, very sadly, it has now become untenable for me, as Special Envoy, to urge other states to respect and enforce international obligations while the UK declares that it does not intend to do so itself.

‘As the President of the Bar Council of England and Wales has affirmed, undermining the rule of law that ”this country is built on … will fatally puncture people’s faith in our justice system’.

‘And it threatens to embolden autocratic regimes that violate international law with devastating consequences all over the world.’

The Beirut-born barrister, 42, is the latest lawyer to distance themselves from the Government over the Internal Market Bill, which is passed would break international law. 

In a letter to Foreign Secretary this afternoon she said: ‘I accepted the role because I believe in the importance of the cause, and appreciate the significant role that the UK has played and can continue to play in promoting the international legal order.

‘In these circumstances I have been dismayed to learn that the Government intends to pass legislation – the Internal Market Bill – which would, by the Government’s own admission, ”break international law” if enacted. 

‘I was also concerned to note the position taken by the Government that although it is an ”established principle of international law that a state is obliged to discharge its treaty obligations in good faith”, the UK’s ‘Parliament is sovereign as a matter of domestic law and can pass legislation which is in breach of the UK’s Treaty obligations’.

‘Although the government has suggested that the violation of international law would be ”specific and limited”, it is lamentable for the UK to be speaking of its intention to violate an international treaty signed by the Prime Minister less than a year ago.

‘Out of respect for the professional working relationship I have developed with you and your senior colleagues working on human rights, I deferred writing this letter until I had had a chance to discuss this matter with you directly. But having now done so and received no assurance that any change of position is imminent, I have no alternative but to resign from my position.’