SF chief says ‘UK’S days of dictating to Ireland over’
MARY Lou Mcdonald has said “Britain’s days of dictating to Ireland are over”.
She was speaking after meeting UK Prime Minister Theresa May in Belfast yesterday.
Mrs May was in Northern Ireland trying to drum up support for her Brexit position from the Stormont parties.
The Sinn Fein leader said the Tory must not try and impose her will on Ireland if she wants her deal to succeed.
Ms Mcdonald said: “We told Theresa May we will not tolerate anything that undermines the Good Friday Agreement and that is precisely what a hard border in Ireland would do.
“The backstop is an insurance policy to prevent a hard border. It is supported by the majority of citizens, businesses and other key sectors of our society.
“Theresa May’s attempt to row back on it is an act of gross bad faith and an act of hostility against Irish interests.
“The days of Britain dictating to the people of Ireland are over and Theresa May needs to accept that reality if she is to avoid a nodeal Brexit crash.”
Ms Mcdonald also pressed the UK Prime Minister for a referendum on Irish unity.
The Good Friday Agreement states the North’s Secretary of State may call a poll if it appears likely voters would wish to leave the UK.
Ms Mcdonald said: “So if there is a Tory crash, and Mrs May has conceded as much, in that event, not alone will there be pressure for a referendum on Irish unity, there will be absolute democratic imperative to call such a referendum.”