Backlash grows over Trump's 'completely wrong' comments on Irish reunification

Robert Jenrick has said Donald Trump's call for Irish reunification was "completely wrong".

Mr Jenrick told Sunday Morning with... Rachel Johnson on Sky News that Reform "firmly disagree" with the US president's calls for a united Ireland.

Reform UK's treasury spokesman said: "We're a unionist party, the clue's in the name Reform UK, and we'll always support the union.

"I went to Northern Ireland to reaffirm that message just a few weeks ago, and Nigel [Farage] couldn't have been clearer yesterday that there may be some things we agree with the United States on. We firmly disagree with Donald Trump on this one…"

Mr Jenrick added: "Under a Reform government, Northern Ireland will always be part of the United Kingdom, but under the conditions of the Good Friday Agreement - if there's a majority on both sides.

"We're going to make sure we support the Good Friday Agreement. We're going to defend Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom."

Mr Jenrick was reacting to Mr Trump's remarks on Saturday - the first day of his two-day visit to Ireland - when he said he would "love to see" a unified Ireland.

The US president had been asked by a reporter for his views on Irish reunification.

Mr Trump said: "It's going to happen eventually. He said it would be "a great feather in everyone's cap", later adding: "How can it be bad?"

Mr Trump doubled down on his comments while speaking at the US embassy in Dublin afterwards.

"I actually said it would be, I think, a very cool thing," he said. "To be honest with you, I think it would be cool."

Tom Tugendhat: Trump's comments 'unhelpful'

Also speaking on Sunday Morning with... Rachel Johnson, shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat called Mr Trump's comments "unhelpful".

He said: "US presidents have traditionally supported the right of the people of Northern Ireland to determine their own future. That's how we got to the Good Friday Agreement.

"I knew he was a Republican, I didn't know he was that kind of a Republican. But, you know, this is not quite what we expect allies to be into playing with."

Also speaking on the programme, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said of the US president's remarks: "Donald Trump is Donald Trump, and the president will speak his mind as he sees it.

"But look, we're really serious about the Good Friday Agreement.

"We're very proud of our history there and working with Ireland to make sure that we implement the Good Friday Agreement and we continue on that path."

Trump to visit his Doonbeg golf resort

Earlier this year, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham sparked a political row after saying a referendum on reunification was "off the table".

Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the UK's Northern Ireland secretary can decide to hold a border poll and is obliged to call one if they believe a majority would vote for Irish reunification.

To effect constitutional change, the people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour.

On Sunday, Mr Trump, who met Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House on Saturday, will be watching the final round of the Irish Open at his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.

His visit has prompted what has been described as one of the biggest security operations ever put in place by the Irish police service.

Protests have taken place in Dublin, with further demonstrations planned in Doonbeg and at Shannon Airport.

(c) Sky News 2026: Backlash grows over Trump's 'completely wrong' comments on Irish reunification