A TORY MP’s suggestion that potential food shortages in Ireland could be used as leverage in Brexit negotiations has sparked anger.
Priti Patel has since said her comments were taken out of context.
A British Government report, leaked to the Times on Friday, suggested a no-deal Brexit could see Ireland suffer a 7 per cent drop in GDP, which could result in food shortages.
Speaking to the Times, Patel suggested this information could be used to get a better Brexit deal.
“This paper appears to show the government were well aware Ireland will face significant issues in a no-deal scenario,” she said.
“Why hasn’t this point been pressed home during negotiations?
“There is still time to go back to Brussels and get a better deal.”
'Reckless Brexit agenda'
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard dubbed Ms Patel’s comments ‘crass and offensive’.
“This proposal from Priti Patel really exposes the Brexiteer attitude to Ireland as nothing more than a colonial irritant whose rights really shouldn’t be taken into account,” he said.
“They know the history of the Irish famine and Britain’s role in it and the very fact that they would seek to inject that into the Brexit debate is crass and offensive.
“The Tories couldn’t care less about the impact of their reckless Brexit agenda on the people and economy of Ireland. We are simply collateral damage.
“And this is precisely why we need a backstop; it is our only insurance policy against a hard border in Ireland and comments such as Priti Patel’s will only serve to reinforce the determination of those of us who are saying that the backstop is the bottom line. It cannot and will not be abandoned or renegotiated.”
'Ridiculous'
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Tanaiste Simon Coveney told the Irish Examiner the comments were the latest example of the “ridiculous carry-on from an MP from a neighbouring state and ally”.
Labour peer Andrew Adonis was among those who took to Twitter to condemn Ms Patel, who he said was calling for another Irish famine.
Priti Patel’s call for another Irish famine the worst anti-Irish comment by a British politician in ages. But what rankles more among Irish leaders is Mrs May’s attempt to persuade Tusk, before the Salzburg summit, to cut Ireland loose on the grounds that it is ‘so small’
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) December 9, 2018
This kind of comment from MPs like Priti Patel demonstrate not only profound ignorance of and insensitivity about our history but also reckless indifference to the impact on relations today.
Truly grim. https://t.co/WJkJL3B9At
— Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) December 7, 2018
There’s probably only one issue more emotive to all of Ireland than the border and that’s the famine, impressive that Priti Patel managed to shoehorn it in to #Brexit.
— Andrea Catherwood (@acatherwoodnews) December 7, 2018
Staggering insensitivity- My father’s family came from near Skibbereen where the Irish Famine Centre is housed - a milllion died because the free market orthodoxy of that era said it was wrong to provide food aid https://t.co/OcO3NnVEoJ
— Kevin Brennan MP (@KevinBrennanMP) December 7, 2018
Threatening Ireland’s food supply ♂...as a descendent of people fleeing county Mayo, it amazes me that these expensively educated brexiteers have literally learned nowt about the history of these very isles.
— Tom Blenkinsop (@TomBlenkinsop) December 7, 2018
Quick one for Priti Patel before she reruns the Irish Famine -
Ireland is a major importer of food from the UK.
The UK is a major importer of food from the EU.
Ireland is a member of, guess what? The EU.
If shit was wit she’d be constipated. https://t.co/r1HBCTTvVx— Patrick Kielty (@PatricKielty) December 7, 2018
This is inexcusable. Ireland is our ally, friend and neighbour. To level this threat is as ignorant as it is reckless. I hope she reflects and retracts as soon as is possible. Her party leader should insist that she does. https://t.co/Cc0fYxvYps
— Owen Smith (@OwenSmith_MP) December 7, 2018
Ms Patel has since said her comments were taken out of context, tweeting: “It is clear my comments on‘ No Deal’ have been taken out of context by some. We should go back to Brussels & get a better deal. There is still time. Let’s take back control of borders, laws & money.”
It is clear my comments on‘ No Deal’ have been taken out of context by some. We should go back to Brussels & get a better deal. There is still time. Let’s take back control of borders, laws & money.
— Priti Patel MP (@patel4witham) December 7, 2018
