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The legislation is expected to come to parliament soon as a
dispute over how to deal with the so-called Northern Ireland
protocol, which governs post-Brexit trade and was agreed as part
of Britain's deal to leave the European Union, drags on.
"The government is confident that our actions are lawful under
international law and in line with long standing convention we
do not set out internal legal deliberations," Europe minister
James Cleverly told parliament.
The protocol aims to keep the British-run province, which
borders EU member Ireland, in both the United Kingdom's customs
territory and the EU's single market for goods.
Britain has criticised the implementation of trade rules under
the protocol, which has seen some businesses in Britain unable
to send some goods to Northern Ireland.
The government says the situation risks undermining the 1998
Good Friday peace deal for the province, though others, such as
the EU and some U.S. politicians, say the protocol is essential
to protect that deal.
Last month, foreign minister Liz Truss said she would introduce
legislation to make changes to the protocol. She said the
legislation would involve a dual regulatory regime designed to
ensure goods moving to Northern Ireland and staying there would
be free of unnecessary administrative burdens.
"We'll be setting out further detail about our legal position
when we put the bill forwards," Prime Minister Boris Johnson's
spokesman said on Thursday, adding the bill was in the final
stages of drafting.
"The relevant committee met and agreed this yesterday."
(Reporting by William James and Elizabeth Piper; writing by
Alistair Smout; Editing by Kate Holton)
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