The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Minister denies claims of Ireland ‘annexation’
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister has rejected a suggestion by DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds that the Irish government is discussing the “annexation” of Northern Ireland.
Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said Mr Dodds’ words were “inflammatory” and insisted the Republic’s position on the border issue had neither softened nor hardened during ongoing negotiations.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds told the website Conservative Home: “Up to now Simon Coveney, the Department of Foreign Affairs, have talked in very, very aggressive terms.
“They’ve talked about almost the annexation of Northern Ireland.”
But Mr Coveney, speaking to reporters after attending a lunch with business leaders in Londonderry yesterday, refuted the claim and described Mr Dodds’ language as “unfortunate”.
He said: “We’re not looking to use Brexit to promote any kind of constitutional change on the island of Ireland, not at all.” SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford would meet Donald Trump in the UK, despite his reservations, out of “respect” for his position.
The US president is reportedly planning to visit the UK in mid-July – a visit that is likely to include a trip to his golf resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire.
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP said he believed it would be right to meet Mr Trump in his official capacity as president.
“The behaviour of Donald Trump is something we find difficult to accept,” he said.
“His treatment and views on women are particularly concerning, as are the way he behaves on the domestic agenda and in foreign affairs.
“While we have real concerns about the behaviour of the president, we have got to realise we need to respect the office of the presidency and these are two very, very different things.
“I would express my opposition to much of what he has done but I would respect the office of the presidency.
“There are ways of delivering a message and we can do that in a way that has dignity.”