Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has urged the British government not to jeopardise the ongoing trade talks between Britain and the EU and to ‘continue to act in the spirit of the withdrawal agreement which is legally binding.’

Rutte was commenting on news that the Britain government has published draft legislation which contravenes the withdrawal agreement, in particular over the status of Northern Ireland.

Rutte, who declined to go further into the issue, said he shared the concerns about the proposal, but nevertheless said he is sure that a ‘wide and ambitious’ trade agreement between the EU and Britain can still be reached.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has also said she is extremely worried about the British position which, she said, ‘would break international law and undermine trust.’