Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Unionist peer Taylor blasted over Varadkar ‘Indian’ tweet
A FORMER Ulster Unionist politician was slammed last night after describing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as “the Indian” on social media.
John Taylor, who now calls himself Lord Kilclooney, was replying to a post on Twitter that quoted Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney wanting a united Ireland in his “political lifetime”.
He tweeted: “Simon Coveney is stirring things up. Very dangerous non statesman like role! Clearly hoping to undermine the Indian.”
Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone called out the post: “Disgraceful comment John. Leo is 100% Irish as you well know. The mind boggles.”
Lord Kilclooney said: “In which way is he 100 per cent Irish??” Ms Noone replied: “Please go back to the 1800s.”
In other posts explaining the tweet the life peer claimed the offensive nickname was “shorthand for an Indian surname which I could not spell”.
He added: “I should have said PM and not used Indian as shorthand for his name which I must learn to spell correctly.”
On Coveney, the EX-UUP deputy leader said: “What else would you expect from a Cork Republican. He has no interest in peace and stability in NI or co-operation between NI and ROI.”
Mr Coveney had told the Oireachtas committee on the Good Friday Agreement: “I am a constitutional nationalist. I’d like to see a united Ireland in my lifetime. If possible, my political lifetime.”
The Foreign Minister added any moves towards unity should include steps to protect and include a unionist minority.