Food shortage threat “despicable” – Ní Riada

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has described a suggestion from a Tory MP that the threat of food shortages in Ireland could be used to force a change to the backstop as “despicable.”

The Ireland South MEP was reacting to comments from Tory MP Priti Patel who suggested the threat of food shortages in Ireland post-Brexit should have been “pressed home during negotiations” and that there was still time to “go back and get a better deal.”

“”Not only do these comments reek of desperation from the Tories but it further illustrates the absolute moral bankruptcy that is rampant in the Conservatives when it comes to Ireland,” she said.

“The implication of her comment and the reference she is making, given the genocide inflicted on this country by Britain during An Gorta Mór, is quite clear.

“It’s a despicable comment to make and indicative of how desperate the Tories are getting as their aimless Brexit blundering continues to implode.

“The mask has well and truly slipped here. We’re all used to hearing Theresa May’s contrived over-earnestness as she stresses over and over how she doesn’t want to see a hard border but this is exactly what they think of Ireland.

“The Government and the EU would do well to remember that when dealing with the Tories on Brexit.”