Nigel Farage has hit back at Donald Trump after the President said he would “love to see” a united Ireland.
Mr Trump said the reunification of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is “going to happen eventually, it may as well happen now”.
The US President spoke to reporters alongside Irish premier Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House in Dublin at the outset of his two-day trip to Ireland.
While the Prime Minister’s spokesman told GB News Labour remains “committed” to the Good Friday Agreement following Mr Trump’s remarks, the Reform UK leader, usually a supporter of the US President, said he disagreed with him on this issue.
The Reform leader said: “Northern Ireland is a proud and integral part of the United Kingdom. The people of Northern Ireland neither want a referendum, nor unification.”
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch added: “This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.
“At a time when separatists are in power in Scotland, Wales and NI, we need a Government that will defend the Union clearly and confidently.
“The Conservative and Unionist Party, as is our true name, will always defend the union. I would like to see the same clarity from Andy Burnham, rather than entertaining the idea of more independence referenda as he did on Wednesday at PMQs.”
The President sparked outrage with his comments
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REUTERS
Nigel Farage said he disagrees with Donald Trump
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GETTYResponding to a question on Irish unity, President Trump said he did not “want to cause any problems” but he would “love to see it unified”.
He said: “I have friends on both sides, great people…It’s going to happen eventually. You know what? The way I look at it, it’s going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now.”
Also responding to President Trump, Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe said: “The American President is talking about breaking up our country. This is unacceptable, this is insulting. I like Trump, I’ve backed Trump.
“He should not be aiming to permanently damage our country to get back at the current malign Labour Government.
“Whether it’s a unified Ireland, or failing to support us properly on the Falkland Islands. Do not irreversibly damage our relationship because of this Labour Government. It’s not on.”
Alex Burghart issued a scathing review of President Donald Trump’s remarks
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PARLIAMENT.TV
The Shadow Northern Ireland secretary also hit back at Donald Trump’s support for a united Ireland.
Alex Burghart stated: “Donald Trump is very wrong. Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom. Kemi and the Conservatives will always stand up for the Union. We will build a stronger economy in every corner of the United Kingdom, creating jobs and opportunities and clearing up Labour’s mess.”
DUP leader and MP for East Belfast Gavin Robinson stressed: “Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because that is the settled democratic will of its people. I am confident NI will continue to choose the UK and the security it offers.”
SDLP leader Claire Hanna commented: “I’m not sure if anybody has checked on the DUP. I suspect they’re burning those Trump flags as we speak…It turns out that he isn’t as orange as he looks.”
Kemi Badenoch criticised the President
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GB NEWSDonald Trump met with his Irish counterpart Catherine Connolly as part of his visit
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REUTERS
Irish President Catherine Connolly said she “conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted” in a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
In a statement following the meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin, Ms Connolly said: “As president of Ireland, I am very conscious that Ireland and the United States of America are bound by strong ties.
“This is a deep connection, built over centuries, which allows us to speak openly to one another. We are in a world facing the existential threat posed by war and climate change, both of which are inextricably interlinked.
“I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.
“As a country which has suffered famine, colonisation and the violence of the Troubles, but also the importance of the long and challenging road to peace, I emphasised the unique insight which Irish people can bring to the resolution of conflict.”