The UK government has rejected the first attempt by Northern Ireland’s unionist parties to block the application of updated EU legislation in the region, saying the key test was not met. But Hilary Benn,

The British government refused a bid by unionist parties in Northern Ireland to exempt the region from some European Union rules, a move that risks angering groups who favor stronger ties with the rest of the UK.

The British government on Monday rejected an attempt to trigger the "Stormont Brake", angering Northern Ireland unionists who sought to use the post-Brexit emergency mechanism to stop the application of a piece of EU law in the British-run region.