Burnham Irish unity remarks were not a mistake, Chris Bryant says
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association
Britain's prime minister Andy Burnham did not make a mistake when he said in Belfast that a poll on Irish unity is “off the table”, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has said.
Bryant said Mr Burnham was speaking about the situation “now” and insisted they are both “full square behind every single part of the Good Friday Agreement”.
The prime pinister caused a political row this week with his comments during his first visit to Northern Ireland since coming into office.
Asked about the prospects of a border poll, he responded: “I will take a collaborative approach, but some issues will be off the table, and that is one issue that will be off the table.
“I think we’ve got to focus on bringing people together as best we can, and I think we’ve lived through a decade where there’s been a referendum on Brexit, we had Scottish independence just before it.”
The remarks drew an angry response from nationalist politicians, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stating that no British prime minister has the right to “high-handedly” remove the provision for a unity referendum from the Good Friday Agreement.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson welcomed the comments, stating Burnham had “put to bed the nonsense” speculation over a unity poll.
Asked if Burnham’s comment was a mistake, Bryant told UTV: “No, it wasn’t.
“I sat next to Andy throughout all the conversations yesterday, and he made absolutely clear, time and time again, and I’m happy to do it again now, that we stand full square behind every single part of the Good Friday Agreement, including the provisions in relation to a border poll.”
He (Andy Burnham) was asked specifically about whether he was going to be discussing a border poll, holding a border poll now, and he was saying that we're taking that off the table today
He added: “He was asked specifically about whether he was going to be discussing a Border poll, holding a border poll now, and he was saying that we’re taking that off the table today.
“It was simply about the conversations yesterday.
“I’ve spoken to the First Minister and to other political leaders today to make it absolutely clear, I and Andy are fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement with all its provisions, including in relation to a border poll.”
Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the North's secretary of state can decide to hold a border poll, and it also places a duty on the office holder to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
