ROBERT Buckland said he will resign as justice secretary if the government breaks the law “in a way that I find unacceptable”.

The South Swindon MP was grilled by BBC's Andrew Marr and Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday morning as criticism continues to grow over Boris Johnson’s Brexit plans.

The prime minister is under increasing pressure to retract plans to override elements of his own Withdrawal Agreement, with former leaders calling on Tory rebels to vote his Bill down.

Mr Buckland insisted he does not believe the UK will “get to that stage”, telling Marr legislation that could break international law was a “break the glass in emergency provision if we need it”.

In his cabinet role, Mr Buckland has faced growing calls to explain how the plans are consistent with obligations under international law – and was pressed on Sunday over whether he would resign.

“If I see the rule of law being broken in a way I find unacceptable then of course I will go,” he told The Andrew Marr Show on the BBC.

“I don’t believe we’re going to get to that stage. I know in my mind what I have to do.

"But the government collectively here also has a responsibility. We’ve got to resolve any conflict, that’s what we will do.”

Mr Buckland had dodged the same question twice in an earlier appearance on Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

Ridge pressed him twice on whether he would resign after Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said the government is intending to breaking international law in a "very specific and limited way".

Mr Buckland said: “It’s not a question about me or my position, the whole government is committed to the rule of law.

“I as Lord Chancellor speak chiefly for the government and I can assure you what we are doing is in accordance with the most honourable traditions of the British state which is to alert everyone to the possibility of a problem.”

When he was asked again he said: “If we get to the stage where we have a conflict of laws it is the duty of the government to resolve that, this isn’t an unprecedented situation.

“No government has ever had to face the job of disentangling Britain’s relationship with the EU.

“But make no mistake we are absolutely committed to getting the joint committee negotiations resolved. We hope these provisions will never have to be used.”

Ridge asked Mr Buckland if he ever worries he’s "being played" – he voted to remain in the EU in 2016 and the Sky presenter inferred the prime minister seems to be comfortable with not having a trade deal post Brexit.

He responded: “I’ve been in politics a long time, I’m old enough and ugly enough to know when I’m being played. I can tell you the prime minister knows my strong views about needing to work positively with our European neighbours.

“We as a government want a deal and we are working hard to get that deal. Our will is absolutely settled and united, we are going to get there.”

Mr Buckland explained he and the government hope the provisions never have to be used but are there as precaution.

Ridge compared this to buying a balaclava and a crowbar but having no intention of using it.

She said: “It’s not that reassuring is it?”

Mr Buckland replied: “I think the analogies of the criminal law are wholly misplaced, what we’re talking about here is intricate international law arrangements.

“I heard my friend and colleague the Irish justice minister set out their concerns, we take them extremely seriously as we do the peace process. I can reassure the Irish government and I can reassure all friends in Europe that all we are seeking to do is to prepare domestically if things are not resolved.

“That is a responsible course of action, we could have pretended all is well and avoided the problem and then come into infraction and collision with Europe. I think that would have been dishonest.”

Mr Buckland's defence came as Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said the UK was damaging its international reputation as he hit out as Mr Johnson’s “spin” in denying Europe could impose a “blockade” between Britain and Northern Ireland.