Image: Andrew Parsons/I-images
Boris Johnson makes pledge as parliament struggles with Brexit bill
Prime minister Boris Johnson has vowed to “protect, preserve and enhance” the UK’s research relationship with Europe after Brexit, in response to a question from his brother, the former science minister Jo Johnson.
Boris Johnson made the pledge during a debate on his Brexit bill on 22 October, when MPs passed an initial vote in favour of the bill but then voted against the prime minister’s wish to finish debating the legislation this week. As a result, Johnson has paused the legislation, leaving it in limbo.
During the debate, Jo Johnson, who dramatically quit his brother’s government over Brexit, asked, “Can he reassure me that the moment the bill receives royal assent—hopefully sooner rather than later—he will work tirelessly…to secure the closest possible relationship with European science and research funding programmes?”
The prime minister responded, “I know how much he values such cooperation, as, indeed, I know how much members throughout the House [of Commons] value it. We will protect, preserve and enhance it.”