The withdrawal of the favourite candidate to become US Ambassador to Ireland has led to speculation that controversial White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer could be handed the role.
Irish American philanthropist Brian Burns was set to become Irish Ambassador after an endorsement from US President Donald Trump, but the 81-year-old has said he is no longer in a position to accept the post, citing health reasons.
Ireland has been without an ambassador from Washington since Kevin O’Malley stepped down on the day of President Trump’s inauguration in January.
The withdrawal from the race of Boston-born businessman Mr Burns has left a vacancy for the role that pundits suggest could be filled by Sean Spicer, whose profile has sky-rocketed since becoming the communications director for the president.
His White House press briefings have become the subject of satire due to claims including that the number of people attending Trumps inauguration ceremony was the “largest ever” for a president, despite photographic evidence to the contrary.
Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy famously impersonated Mr Spicer on US TV show Saturday Night Live, while comparisons have been made between the press secretary and Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, the spokesman for Saddam Hussein during the 2003 Iraq invasion, who became known as ‘Comical Ali’ for his claims of an impending American defeat shortly before the fall of Baghdad.
The US newspaper Irish Central described Mr Spicer as a “real contender” for the ambassador post, due to his Co Cork roots and his pride in his Irish heritage.
Other contenders according to the newspaper are Long Island Congressman Peter King and Maine Senator Susan Collins.
