Earlier today the EU triggered Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the Brexit withdrawal deal, which allows the EU or UK to suspend aspects of its operations if either side considers that aspect to be causing “economic, societal or environmental difficulties”.
This was in relation to the EU wanting more information from vaccine manufacturers about how many doses and where the vaccine was being delivered to.
The move was seen as the start of efforts by the EU to place controls on the export of Covid vaccines amid its escalating row with AstraZeneca over its supply contract.
BREAKING: Confirmed to @SkyNews SkyNews . Article 16 has been withdrawn by the EU. Statement shortly
— Adam Parsons (@adamparsons) January 29, 2021
This evening it appears that Article 16 has been revoked.
Euronews reporter Shona Murray said on Twitter “I understand the situation has been rectified. A statement is due shortly. The whole thing was a ‘mistake’ and an ‘oversight’,” .
“A lot of hot heads after a rancorous week. But #Article16 no longer to be an issue – EU sources.”
Sky News have also this evening announced unnamed sources within the EU have said the triggering of Article 16 was a ‘mistake.’
