Boris Johnson remains the “biggest figure” in UK politics and will play an intricate role in how any post-Brexit Northern Ireland agreement is received by Parliament, according to Jacob Rees-Mogg.
It comes as Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen prepare to sign off on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.
Trade barriers created between Northern Ireland and Great Britain has angered Unionists, and has resulted in the DUP collapsing power sharing in Stormont last year in protest.
Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been long mooted for a potential return to power, and harnessing the support of Eurosceptics in Parliament could provide a solid platform for his prospects.
In an exclusive GB News interview, Jacob Rees-Mogg spoke about the potential ramifications for Rishi Sunak’s Government should Boris Johnson oppose the agreement.
He told Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster: “If the DUP, are against it, there will be a significant number of Conservative MPs who are unhappy.
“The position of Boris Johnson is always important, he remains the biggest figure in UK politics.
“Therefore, his view will be of fundamental relevance in how this debate plays out.”
In order for Stormont to get back up and running, any agreement must meet the threshold of the ‘seven tests’ set by the DUP.
Asked by GB News’ Isabel Webster about whether he will be supportive of the agreement, he stated “the devil is what really matters”.
He stated: “What I’ve heard is encouraging, it seems to be the case that there are some important concessions.
Jacob Rees-Mogg previously worked in Boris Johnson's cabinet
Image: GB News
“There are two points that really matter, one is the reaction of the DUP, will this restore power sharing?
“What Northern Ireland needs most of all is its democratic institutions restored, and that will only happen if there is cross-community consent with the EU.
“The second is the legal text, what does the detail say?
“We’ve found in the past with the EU that it is the detail that really matters, not the headline statement.”
Rishi Sunak is set to announce a post-Brexit agreement with the EU
Ben Stansall
While Downing Street has not committed to giving the Commons a vote on final arrangements with the EU, Sunak will face intense scrutiny should this not be the case.
The protocol was originally signed by Boris Johnson in 2020, with an aim to prevent a hard border with Ireland after Brexit.
Northern Ireland continues to follow EU rules on goods to prevent checks being needed when crossing into the Republic.
Boris Johnson could yet play an important role in the biggest test his successor has had to contend with so far
Jonathan Brady
Trade barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain has been a point of contention for Unionists.
In protest at its impact, the DUP left Northern Ireland without an executive or an assembly by collapsing powersharing.
Seven tests, set out by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, will need to be met by Sunak in order to win the party’s backing.
A key test will be addressing the “democratic deficit” of Northern Ireland not having a say on EU rules while being subject to them.