EU takes UK to court in blow to London’s proposed ‘reset’

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Brussels is taking the UK to the European Court of Justice in two cases, casting a shadow over Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed “reset” of relations with the EU.

The European Commission has brought the cases over the UK’s treatment of EU citizens and its failure to end bilateral investment deals with six member states.

The first complaint dates back to 2020, and legal action had been paused to build confidence between the two sides. But on Monday the commission said it would bring the case to court.

The ECJ can adjudicate on matters dating from before 2021, when the UK’s transition period after leaving the EU ended. The UK would have to abide by its rulings.

Responding to the move, Downing Street said: “We are not going to comment on legal proceedings. This relates to when we were an EU member state and during the transition period.”

This is a developing story