Strong words.
Since June 2016, relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom have been tense — at best.
Issues surrounding the border between the Republic of Ireland and the north, Brexit deals breaking down over the prospect of a backstop, and repeated instances of ignorance vis-a-vis Ireland from English politicians certainly haven’t helped things.
Still, it is incumbent upon Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to co-operate in order to resolve Brexit in such a way that avoids a hard border between Ireland and the UK.
But sources in the UK media are reporting that their relationship has deteriorated.
The Mail on Sunday reported yesterday (16 December) that “Relations with Mr Varadkar are cold, with sources claiming Mrs May ‘loathes’ the Irish Taoiseach. The PM is said to have ‘outsourced’ communication with Dublin to her No 2, David Lidington, because the relationship is so chilly”.
The report also claimed that May is “seething with Varadkar and [French president] Emmanuel Macron” — referring to the two EU27 leaders as “her real enemies”.
Varadkar has regularly been targeted by the British media, with The Sun newspaper telling him “shut your gob and grow up,” and branding him an airhead on their front page in recent times.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
