North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald has said he finds breaking international law “unacceptable” following a Brexit vote in the Commons which saw him rebel from the party line.

MPs voted on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Internal Market Bill which includes provisions needed after transition, and also overrides the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and international law.

The MP – who lives in Royston – has an amendment down with fellow MP Sir Bob Neill, that would seek to change the part of the bill that is illegal.

Sir Oliver told the Crow: “My abstention means that I cannot support the bill without amendment. I have also discussed this with the Prime Minister.

“It is important that we have measures in place to run the UK internal market so I support that aspect of the bill.

“However, I do have concerns about part 5, because for our country to break its word and breach international law is just not something that we do.

“Britain stands as a rule of law country that is respected across the world for its stance.

“It is right that all three Prime Ministers I served under have come out with grave concerns about this bill and the point I am concerned about.

“Margaret Thatcher herself — she was a barrister — made clear how important the point is, often saying that democracy is not enough without a love of liberty and respect for the rule of law.

“I am therefore hoping that the discussions going on at the moment can be successful.

“I am pressing the government and the EU, as much as I can, saying, ‘come on, let’s get an agreement’, because breaking international law would be the last thing we want to do.

“I support the amendment tabled by the chairman of the justice committee, my honourable friend Sir Robert Neill, which says that if we come to the point where the negotiations have failed, all is lost and this country really must contemplate breaking international law, then so be it, but that day is not today and we should give the negotiations more time.”

South Cambs MP Anthony Browne voted to back Boris Johnson’s bill and wasn’t available for comment before the Crow went to press.

The government won by 340 votes to 263 votes. Two Tory MPs voted against the government with 29 abstaining or not voting.

Labour’s amendment to block the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill from receiving a second reading was defeated by 349 votes to 213, giving the government a majority of 136.

On the actual bill, the government won by 340 votes to 263 votes, a government majority of 77. Two Tory MPs voted against the government with 29 abstaining or not voting – including former PM Theresa May.