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The EU “recognise they made a mistake” by invoking a Brexit deal clause to prevent coronavirus vaccine shipments entering the UK, Michael Gove has said.
The bloc has faced widespread criticism after its short-lived move to override part of the agreement on Northern Ireland over export controls.
And Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr Gove said the union now realised it was in the wrong – and promised the UK would “work with them to make sure their own problems can be tackled”.
He said “we need a reset” of relations following the furore, which was sparked by a row between the EU and AstraZeneca over supply of its COVID-19 jab.
Brussels had sought to halt vaccines entering the UK through “the back door” with checks at the border of the Republic and Northern Ireland, by triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It backtracked on the move after condemnation from London, Dublin and Belfast, with leaders all blindsided by the decision.
And Mr Gove said: “I think the European Union recognise that they made a mistake in triggering Article 16, which would have meant the re-imposition of a border on the island of Ireland.
“But now the European Union have stepped back, and they’ve stepped back following clear conversations that the prime minister has had with the European Commission president and I’ve had with European Commission vice president.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster had described Brussels’ actions as “absolutely disgraceful” and an “incredible act of hostility”.
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