IRELAND IS COLLATERAL DAMAGE OF BREXITEERS
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ALASTAIR Campbell claimed Ireland could face economic disaster in the event of a no deal Brexit.
Tony Blair’s former spokesman said the country could be “collateral damage” because of the actions of hardline Tories.
Mr Campbell also told RTE’S Claire Byrne Live he believes there could be a border poll following a disorderly Brexit.
He said: “You’ve become in a way collateral damage to one of the most ridiculous acts of self harm that any country has ever inflicted upon itself.
“And yet because of one vote, we have a prime minister absolutely determined that Brexit will happen, no matter the cost, no matter what the consequences and we appear to have a Labour leader who is not far off from saying the same thing.”
The 61-year-old former spin doctor also said a hard border is inevitable if there is a no-deal Brexit.
He added: “When the [Brexit] referendum happened both the UK Government and Irish government and the EU made the border one of the central objectives out of these negotiations and that has not changed.
“There’s a real danger of our government being so cavalier about the prospect of crashing out without an agreement.
“It’s time for them to admit if we go out on World Trade Organisation terms how do you avoid a border when you’re talking about two different economic institutions and there’s no agreement.
“So I think we’re in a very bad and dangerous place.” When asked if a border poll was likely after a hard Brexit he said: “It’s not impossible that the set of events lurching to some crazy conclusion will end with the breakup of the UK. If we go out and there isn’t a second poll, despite the fact Mrs May’s deal bears no relationship to what was promised in the referendum, you’re going to see demand for Scottish independence.
“I think you will see a distinct change in the politics of the North.”