ITV PRESENTER Robert Peston has attempted to clarify the controversial remarks he made about Ireland's relationship with Britain during his programme on Sunday.
During an interview with Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, Peston said: “I mean you are a student of British history. Ireland has undermined, the issue of Ireland in so many ways has undermined British governments you know going back well over 100 years now. I think we’re…”
He was then interrupted by Mr Rees-Mogg who responded: “Much longer than that, much more than 100 years. It’s a very long and complex history, that’s absolutely true and that’s why there’s such a determination not to have a hard border, not to have a physical infrastructure.”
The exchange prompted a strong response from people on Twitter, with many people feeling the comments made by Peston were insensitive to the history of the relationship between Ireland and the UK.
Yesterday, Peston tweeted to clarify what he meant at the time.
Some of you think I said on @pestononsunday that “Ireland has a history of undermining Britain”. I did not say that. I would never say that. What I said was there is a history of British governments being torn apart by policy towards Ireland - & Brexit may do that again pic.twitter.com/u0hFzDBagh
— Robert Peston (@Peston) May 8, 2018
