‘Tragedy’ SF won’t debate Brexit fears in Westminster

SINN Fein’s refusal to take their seats in Westminster and voice concerns over Brexit is a “tragedy”, former Taoiseach John Bruton said yesterday.

He claimed the voice of Irish nationalism was missing in the debate over the UK’S withdrawal from the EU.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he also criticised Sinn Fein’s “extremely bad” record for not sitting in the British parliament.

The republican party refuses to take its seats out of opposition to Westminster’s jurisdiction in the North and the oath MPS must make to the Queen.

Mr Bruton added: “Sinn Fein have refused to take their seats on this occasion and the most serious threats to the position of Northern nationalists are now about to be realised – with no Sinn Fein, no Northern nationalist voice to argue a different case.

“I think it’s a great shame, it’s a tragedy.”

He also said there would be a hard border with the North if there is no agreement between the UK and the EU.

He said: “There will be a hard border if there is no agreement – that’s clear under EU law if you look at the paper produced last month by the European Commission.”