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Boris Johnson plans to hand judges the power to overturn EU rulings on holiday entitlement, sick leave, working hours, VAT and flight compensation.

Theresa May ’s Brexit plan would have allowed only the Supreme Court to rule on judgements handed down by the European Court of Justice - a move which angered many Tory Eurosceptics.

But a new clause in Mr Johnson’s withdrawal agreement would extend that pledge to lower British courts.

Lord Pannick, who led two successful Supreme Court cases against the government over Brexit, warned the move could cause “very considerable legal uncertainty.”

It’s feared the plan could have a major impact on protections for workers and consumers - putting long-held rights in jeopardy.

For example, the change would make it easier for employers to challenge staff rights to carry over holiday entitlement while on sick leave.

(Image: WPA Pool)

And Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has reportedly warned the PM that the rule change must be carefully written.

A Number 10 spokesman said: ”The bill will ensure that the Supreme Court is not the only institution able to consider retained European Court of Justice rulings

"This is an important change which will ensure that we do not face a legal bottleneck and inadvertently stay bound by EU rulings for many years.

“We will take back control of our laws and disentangle ourselves from the EU's legal order."

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

The move was welcomed by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, now a leading figure in the pro-Brexit European Research Group.

"This is a critical pledge that puts sovereign rights back in the hands of the United Kingdom Government and of course the British people," he told the BBC.

The clause will be contained in the revised version of the Withdrawal Implementation Bill (WAB) which is due to be introduced in the Commons on Thursday ahead of a second reading vote by MPs on Friday.

Mr Johnson is also reportedly ready to drop concessions made to Remainers on workers’ rights and allowing MPs oversight of post-Brexit trade negotiations now that he has a healthy majority in the Commons.

Ministers are aiming for the legislation to complete its passage through Parliament in the new year, enabling the UK to leave with a deal in place at the end of January as planned.

Downing Street has already said the Bill has been reworked to legally prohibit any extension to the transition period - which kicks in after Britain leaves - to enable talks on a free trade deal to continue if there is no agreement by the end of 2020.