Brexit back in crisis as UK threatens to undercut divorce agreement

Johnson government says it is committed to withdrawal of agreement and the protocol relating to Northern Ireland

Britain’s tortuous divorce from the European Union veered into fresh crisis on Monday after London signalled it could undermine the exit agreement with Brussels unless free trade terms are agreed by next month.

Britain said on Monday it remained fully committed to implementing the withdrawal agreement it agreed with the European Union, describing proposed changes to be implemented in domestic law as limited clarifications. The government said it was fully committed to implementing both the withdrawal agreement and the protocol relating to Northern Ireland.

In yet another twist to the four-year saga since Britain voted narrowly to quit the EU, Prime Minister