Politics

Boris Johnson 'looking forward to developing relationship east-west, north-south' with Taoiseach Micheál Martin

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of a meeting at Hillsborough Castle. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of a meeting at Hillsborough Castle. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of a meeting at Hillsborough Castle. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheál Martin have met for the first time since the Fianna Fáil leader was elected to the position in June.

The men greeted each other with an elbow bump outside Hillsborough Castle in Co Down.

"I had the honour of meeting the Taoiseach several year ago," Boris Johnson said.

"I am very pleased to develop our friendship and relationship now."

He added: "It's great to see you Taoiseach, it's great to be here in Northern Ireland and we look forward to developing our relationship in all sorts of ways - east-west, north-south, you name it."

Mr Martin said the relationship between him and Boris Johnson would work "very warmly".

"We look forward to a very warm engagement," he said.

"It is important for us both in terms of the British-Irish relationship which has been the cornerstone of much progress on the island of Ireland and between our two countries for well over two to three decades, and we want to maintain that.

"It is challenging times ahead with Covid, Brexit, all of that."

Mr Martin said it was particularly fitting the engagement was taking place so soon after the death of former SDLP leader John Hume.

"We remember John at moments like this because he did so much to facilitate these kind of meetings and make them much more regular in the normal course of events," he said.

Mr Johnson agreed that the meeting provided an appropriate moment to remember Mr Hume's legacy.

Shortly after arriving at the castle, the Taoiseach joined the prime minister for a walk in the grounds.

Boris Johnson had earlier exchanged pleasantries with first and deputy first ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill on the veranda in the castle gardens.

Read more:Boris Johnson meets Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster