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Sammy Wilson in climbdown after branding taoiseach a 'nutcase'

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said he regretted his choice of words in calling the taoiseach a nutcase. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said he regretted his choice of words in calling the taoiseach a nutcase. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said he regretted his choice of words in calling the taoiseach a nutcase. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP politician Sammy Wilson has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after calling Taoiseach Leo Varadkar a "nutcase".

The outburst came just days after his party leader delivered a conciliatory speech in Killarney which sought to repair strained cross-border relations.

In the interview with news website Politico the East Antrim MP also branded the Republic's premier as arrogant, naive and inexperienced.

"It was always our view at the very start of this process that the biggest ally we would have when it came to negotiating with the European Union was Dublin...but since this nutcase Varadkar has taken over that things have all changed," he said.

In a statement Mr Wilson later said he regretted his choice of words but insisted that Mr Varadkar's approach to EU policies "defied logic" and would "eventually destroy Ireland".

The taoiseach's office declined to comment on the outburst.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney, who was in Belfast yesterday as a fresh round of Stormont negotiations was announced, would not be drawn on the remarks but stressed the need for a constructive relationship between his government and the DUP.

"I have been quoted publicly that we need to have a good working relationship with the DUP," he said.

Mr Coveney said all parties had a responsibility to restore devolution, adding that the Irish government would spare no effort to do so.

Meanwhile the north's political leaders are to begin talks next Wednesday in a bid to salvage the crisis-hit institutions.

Secretary of state Karen Bradley refused to be drawn on a setting a deadline for the latest talks but said it was the "last opportunity" to find a resolution.

She said she would be updating Westminster on the progress of the negotiations "no later than February 7".

"Progress must be swift – it is clear that Northern Ireland needs strong devolved government and political leadership," she said.

Mr Coveney said that as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the two governments had a responsibility to ensure the effective functioning of its institutions.

"On the basis of the discussions over recent months, I continue to believe that an agreement to form a new executive can be achieved," he said.