Michael Gove signals first government climbdown on Brexit bill over replacements for EU environment laws

MICHAEL Gove yesterday signalled the first Government climbdown on its landmark Brexit bill – over green standards.

Speaking in London, the Environment Secretary said he would table new proposals for replacing EU environment protections after the Lords last month voted down original plans.

The vote was one of 15 Lords defeats for the Government over its EU Withdrawal Bill and sparked a bitter Cabinet dust-up.

At the time a furious Mr Gove blamed “short-sighted” Philip Hammond for the defeat – saying he had blocked plans to give a post-Brexit watchdog the power to impose fines if the Government or councils fail to cut pollution or boost recycling.

At a Policy Exchange event yesterday, Mr Gove accepted the clear signal of the Lords defeat – and said an “amendment in lieu” would be tabled to offer a “constructive” alternative to EU standards.

This would go before MPs in next Tuesday’s mammoth debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Mr Gove said: “I think it will be the case but I don’t want to anticipate things.

“There may well be a response, an amendment in lieu, which seeks to address some of those concerns but also a wider more constructive way forward.”

An amendment already drafted by Tory backbencher and environmentalist Zac Goldsmith would deliver most of the ambitions of the Lords rebels.

Peers demanded all existing “rights, power and liabilities … that contribute to the protection and improvement of the environment” would be preserved.

Zac Goldsmith’s amendment requires new legislation to be published by the end of the year setting out environment principles in a “statement of environmental policy”.

An independent body to monitor compliance would also be set up.

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