May warned not to risk Good Friday deal

Irish premier Enda Kenny has told Theresa May the outworking of the general election must not put the Good Friday Agreement at risk.

The Taoiseach’s intervention comes amid concerns about the impact on the peace process of any DUP/Conservative link-up.

The 1998 peace accord, which provides the template for power-sharing at Stormont, commits the UK and Irish governments to demonstrate “rigorous impartiality” when it comes to the differing political traditions in Northern Ireland.

The Conservatives’ ability to adhere to such a commitment if they are wedded to a parliamentary alliance with the DUP has been questioned.

The issue is particularly relevant at the moment, as talks to save the crisis-hit power-sharing institutions at Stormont are due to resume today.

Mr Kenny, who will formally retire as Taoiseach in the coming days to be replaced by new Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar, said he spoke with Mrs May about protecting the Good Friday Agreement.

Earlier, Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan said a DUP/Tory agreement would “not necessarily” undermine the Northern Ireland peace process.

Charlie Flanagan was asked about suggestions that any Conservative deal with the DUP would undermine Westminster’s impartiality as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

He told ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “Well, not necessarily the case. Of course, it remains to be seen what the nature of that deal is.

“But this is an issue I did address the evening before last with secretary of state James Brokenshire.”

Meanwhile, Labour’s Yvette Cooper, appearing on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, said: “This DUP deal that they have done is really dodgy, it is unsustainable.”

Picture: PA. Enda Kenny is about to retire as Ireland’s Taoiseach.