''The commission has decided to send a letter of formal motive to the UK government''.
The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against the UK over its plans to breach the withdrawal agreement.
British MPs voted in favour of the internal markets bill which breaks international law and now has been passed onto the House of Lords for approval.
The legislation proposes free trade across the UK - however it contradicts the Northern Ireland protocol.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says a letter has been sent to the UK Government:
''If adopted as is it (the bill) will be in full contradiction to the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland'', she said.
''The deadline lapsed yesterday, the problematic provisions have not been removed, therefore this morning the commission has decided to send a letter of formal motive to the UK government.
''This is the first step in an infringement procedure''.
