He made the controversial remarks on his Sunday programme.
As previously reported, TV presenter Robert Peston caused some recent controversy following remarks he made about Anglo-Irish history during a discussion on Brexit.
Speaking with Jacob Rees-Mogg on his ITV show on Sunday, Peston said: “I mean you are a student of British history. Ireland has undermined, the issue of Ireland in so many ways, (has) undermined British governments you know going back well over 100 years now. I think we’re …”
At that point, Mr Rees-Mogg interjects and adds: “Much longer than that, much more than 100 years. It’s a very long and complex history, that’s absolutely true and that’s why there’s such a determination not to have a hard border, not to have a physical infrastructure.”
Mr Peston has now said that he never intended to suggest that Ireland has undermined Britain.
He recently tweeted: “I did not say that. I would never say that. What I said was there is a history of British governments being torn apart by policy towards Ireland – & Brexit may do that again.”
As you may know, Mr Rees-Mogg is a staunch supporter of Brexit and since the comments were shared, Mr Peston has clarified his stance on the issue via Twitter.
Here’s his statement in full.
Some of you think I said on @pestononsunday that “Ireland has a history of undermining Britain”. I did not say that. I would never say that. What I said was there is a history of British governments being torn apart by policy towards Ireland – & Brexit may do that again pic.twitter.com/u0hFzDBagh
— Robert Peston (@Peston) May 8, 2018
After Peston’s original remarks were made, DUP MP Ian Paisley tweeted a link to the comments and added: “Britain has underwritten Ireland for 1000 years!”
https://twitter.com/ianpaisleymp/status/993239156527714307?tfw_creator=ElChiefMoore&tfw_site=joedotie&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.ie%2Fnews%2Ftv-presenter-makes-baffling-claim-irish-uk-relations-brexit-discussion-625105
Here’s their conversation in full.
.@Jacob_Rees_Mogg tells #Peston that some of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement are engaging in "disgraceful" politics, seeking to keep us in the EU. pic.twitter.com/XhvlhpyoZK
— Peston (@itvpeston) May 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/DawnHFoster/status/993118717499400192
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