The House of Lords have hit out at Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal saying it lacks “transparency” and they have “serious concerns” as the EU now has the upper hand.
In a report from the House of Lords EU Committee they have warned of their fears that the deal lacks transparency or any “democratic oversight.”
The UK/EU Joint Committee can amend the withdrawal agreement which would be legally binding for both the UK and the EU.
The previous agreement would allow British parliament to approve any future relationship with the EU, however, this has been removed providing the EU with a greater position.
Lord Kinnoull, Chair of the House of Lords EU Committee said, “The revised EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill has significantly weaker arrangements for transparency and democratic oversight.
“We are concerned that so much of the detail of the Withdrawal Agreement is being left to the UK/EU Joint Committee, a body that will not be subject to any parliamentary oversight and that may not even publish details of the decisions it reaches.
“The lack of any provision in the Bill for the UK parliament to scrutinise the future relationship negotiations is set in harsh relief compared to the role the European parliament will play.
“MEPs will be able to undertake detailed and transparent scrutiny of future EU/UK negotiations while parliamentarians in Westminster will be reduced to passive observers.
“This lack of symmetry runs counter to the spirit and letter of ministerial undertakings given to parliament previously.”
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