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Latest updates: party members say US president is ‘pro-Nationalist’ and they are not ‘rushing to greet him’ as he prepares to meet Rishi Sunak
Good morning. People in Northern Ireland are famed for being exceptionally friendly – except towards each other, the late Simon Hoggart used to joke. (He was a distinguished Belfast correspondent during the early years of the Troubles, before becoming the Guardian’s parliamentary sketchwriter.) But Joe Biden, who arrived in the city last night and who is giving a speech at lunchtime, has not been getting the warmest of welcomes by the main unionist party.
The visit is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement. The US, and the president at the time, Bill Clinton, played a significant role in helping to facilitate that and ever since the White House has been regarded as a player that, from time to time, can have a positive influence on what is broadly described as “the peace process”.
Pressure from an American administration which is so transparently pro-nationalist constitutes no pressure on us at all.
Our decisions will be taken with the interests of Northern Ireland at the heart of our thinking. That’s not what the Americans are about, especially Joe Biden.
He’s anti-British. He is pro-Republican and he has made his antipathy towards Protestants in particular very well known.
He has fully backed the EU in this whole protocol process. He’s refusing to come to the coronation. I don’t think any of us are rushing through the door to greet him.
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