A Conservative MP has been told to read a history book after suggesting that Ireland should be threatened with food shortages if the Brexit backstop remains. In a British government report leaked to the Times yesterday, Ms Patel claimed that Ireland could face worse food shortages than Britain if there is a no-deal Brexit, and that shortages should be used to encourage the EU and Ireland to scrap the North’s backstop deal. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar sidestepped the issue yesterday, saying he does not expect “food shortages” because “obviously we have our own food in Ireland”, but Ms Patel was heavily criticised by other politicians. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for Mr Coveney said Ms Patel’s comments are the latest example of the “ridiculous carry-on from an MP from a neighbouring state and ally”. He said the remarks showed “how much out of touch” Ms Patel was because the UK must import 60% of its food.

Source: Irish Examiner December 08, 2018 06:10 UTC