Northern Ireland

Boris Johnson's successor warned by US congressman over implications of pursuing legislation that goes against the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement

Congressman Bill Keating talks to The Irish News from Washington DC
Congressman Bill Keating talks to The Irish News from Washington DC Congressman Bill Keating talks to The Irish News from Washington DC

A LEADING Irish-American congressman has warned Boris Johnson's successor about the implications of pursuing unpopular legislation that goes against the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.

Bill Keating, chairman of the Europe Subcommittee on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee told The Irish News that he had misgivings both about the bill that aims to disapply elements of the protocol and the British government's controversial legacy proposals.

He described the current Westminster administration's approach to the north as a "politically disruptive effort" that went against the wishes of the majority.

In May, Congressman Keating was the joint signatory of a strongly worded letter to British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warning that any unilateral move to override parts of the protocol would "squarely threaten the Good Friday Agreement".

But he also voiced hope earlier this month that Boris Johnson's resignation would "bring greater stability" and stronger ties between the UK and EU, particularly in dealing with protocol.

The Massachusetts representative was speaking from Washington DC just days after being briefed by victims' representatives about the controversial Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.

He described Friday's virtual briefing, where representatives heard from Dr Anna Bryson from the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Alan McBride from the Wave Trauma Centre, and Relatives for Justice's Mark Thompson, as "quite emotional and personal".

Congressman Keating said among those who listened to the victims' groups testimonies was a member of Congress from Illinois, who represents Highland Park where seven people were killed in a mass shooting earlier this month.

"There was a feeling, a personal feeling that came about from that briefing about how violence affects families and generations to come," he said.

"There's nothing more moving and persuasive than hearing family members that have lost a loved one... and that's why most victims families want to make sure that what they live through doesn't happen to someone else."

He said the contributors to the briefing reflected a "common consensus of accountability".

Congressman Keating described himself as "a friend of UK" but stressed his desire to see the issues around the protocol resolved through negotiation with the EU.

He reiterated previous warnings that there would be no transatlantic trade deal if it was felt the British government was disregarding the Good Friday Agreement with its Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

"What we've clearly indicated, is you won't see any bilateral trade legislation where the attack on the protocol issue continues," he said.

The Democratic congressman said the recent assembly poll showed a majority of the electorate supported parties that back the protocol and that the UK's reputation would be damaged by "going back on international law".