McDonnell admits he still longs for a united Ireland

SHADOW Chancellor John McDonnell yesterday admitted he still ‘longs for a united Ireland’.

But the longstanding Republican said he does not believe it will happen as a result of the Brexit process. His remarks will bolster Theresa May as she seeks to remind the Democratic Unionist Party of the alternatives to a Tory government.

The Prime Minister has relied on the votes of the party’s ten MPs since last year’s general election. Mr McDonnell also joked that he would apply to join the Orange Order if the next election led to a hung parliament.

He told journalists in Westminster: ‘I’m a Republican. I long for a united Ireland, but I recognise democracy. Ireland will not be united on the basis of some contortions around the issue of the relationship with the EU. It will only be reunited on the basis of the popular support of the Irish people – and that’s what I respect.’

He added: ‘There will be some curious relationships that come out of a general election. I can get my application for the Orange Order and order my bowler hat and sash for the marching season. You never know.’

Mr McDonnell apologised in 201 for previously saying the IRA should be honoured for bringing Britain to the negotiating table.

The shadow chancellor compared Mrs May’s Brexit approach to Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler. He said after Brexit negotiations were over ‘it will be a Neville Chamberlain moment – peace in our time’.