Opinion
03 May 17

Nigel Farage blames EU for 'stoking Irish nationalism'

The British nationalist called the EU "contemptible" for its decision to put no restrictions on a united Ireland's access to the EU.

Speaking on the LBC radio show, the controversial Farage said that EU leaders are deliberately "stoking Irish nationalism" to complicate Brexit negotiations.

"The EU have indicated that if Northern Ireland would opt to leave the United Kingdom and join up with Eire, there would be absolutely no problem in a new United Ireland automatically becoming a member of the European Union.

"So what they are doing to try to make Brexit negotiations difficult for this government is they are prepared to stoke Irish nationalism and all that could come with that.

"I have to say I think that perhaps this is the most contemptible thing that I've heard so far."

The EU statement was in coherence with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, which states that north and south of Ireland have a right to unify if a majority agree north of the border. Enda Kenny had pushed in recent weeks for the EU to clarify that the north of Ireland would have “ease of access” to rejoin the EU if reunification were to occur.

Watch the clip from Farage's LBC interview here:

EU are stoking Irish nationalism to make Brexit negotiations difficult. Their behaviour is contemptible. pic.twitter.com/0FFjuEnlS7

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) May 2, 2017