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British government 'tried to delay EU's united Ireland declaration'

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has hit out at the British government. Picture by Mal McCann
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has hit out at the British government. Picture by Mal McCann SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has hit out at the British government. Picture by Mal McCann

CLAIMS that the British government attempted to delay a declaration that the north should be able to rejoin the EU in the event of a united Ireland show they "cannot be trusted", SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny insisted that European leaders should allow the north to gain automatic European Union membership should it ever decide to leave the UK and be part of a united Ireland.

The Irish unity clause was agreed at a summit in Brussels in April ahead of the Brexit negotiations.

However, RTÉ reported yesterday that the British government tried to get the declaration delayed until after last week's general election, so as not to damage Prime Minister Theresa May's chances of victory.

The broadcaster said sources told it that among several diplomatic efforts, officials from the British Department for Exiting the EU tried to set up a phone call between Mrs May and Mr Kenny on the issue.

However, the officials were told that Mr Kenny would not change his mind.

Mr Eastwood described any attempts to block the clause as "incredible".

"The most important concession won from the British government during early Brexit negotiations was an admission to (former Foyle MP) Mark Durkan that the primacy of the principle of consent means that if people here vote to join a united Ireland, we will automatically rejoin the EU," he said.

"It is incredible that British diplomats sought to undermine that position and undercut the rights of people here.

"The British government's willingness to demolish the complex political settlement in the north for their own party political convenience is yet another reason they cannot be trusted as independent arbiters of the all-party talks at Stormont."