Later in his answer Brandon Lewis cites international precedents for reconsidering obligations when circumstances change. Problem is circumstances haven't changed. At all. Prospect of there not being an FTA was entirely foreseen & accounted for. So this doesn't hold water. (1/3) https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1303314022255788032

Indeed the renegotiation of the backstop into the new Protocol made it even more explicit that the Protocol applies in all circumstances. As I (and others) said at the time, it became a front stop. This also hints that the Govt may be eyeing up using Article 62 of VCLT...(2/3)

Which allows for treaties to be withdrawn from if unforeseen circumstances arise or change. But they haven't. Indeed this has been looked at previously in Govt around the backstop & rejected as entirely legally unworkable. (3/3)