Boris Johnson warned his 'better Brexit' plan opens up a ‘Pandora’s box for Northern Ireland’

Boris Johnson has unveiled his own plans for a 'better Brexit'
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Olivia Tobin29 September 2018
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Boris Johnson has been warned his 'better Brexit' plan has "opened a Pandora’s box for Northern Ireland”.

Northern Irish TV presenter Patrick Kielty told Mr Johnson that his plan could destroy peace in Northern Ireland.

The 47-year-old, whose father was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in 1998, was replying to Mr Johnson’s latest Telegraph column, where he outlined his plan for a “better Brexit”.

Mr Kielty replied to Mr Johnson’s plan in a series of late-night tweets, lashing out at the plan.

Patrick Kielty: the TV presenter and stand-up comedian hit out at Mr Johnson on Twitter
PA Archive/PA Images

He wrote: "Dear Boris Johnson, There is no better Brexit when it comes to the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland.

“As you still seem bamboozled by all this Paddywackery here’s a few pointers for your next stab in the dark.”

He added: “Your Brexit lies have opened a Pandora’s box for Northern Ireland. It’s one of the reasons why the majority of people in NI voted to remain in the EU (almost as if they knew more about the fragile equilibrium of their politics than you”.

“Barely mentioned before Brexit, a border poll is now inevitable thanks to your monumental ignorance.

“When that poll is eventually held the Nationalists who were once content being part of a Northern Ireland within the UK and EU will vote to leave the UK to feel as Irish and European as they did before Brexit.

“The poll will be much closer thanks to your Brexit folly and could easily be lost by Unionists, breaking up the UK.”

Mr Johnson did not reply to Mr Kielty.

The former foreign secretary was asked whether he might make the move when quizzed by the BBC.

In the broadcast, he said the Prime Minister was "a remarkable person" and that she will "go on for as long as she feels it necessary".

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in