Worsening UK/EU relations over Northern Ireland ‘commanding attention’ of Biden
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America’s most senior diplomat in Britain has given Brexit minister Lord Frost a dressing down for Britain’s role in heightening tensions in Ireland and Europe.
Yael Lempert, who was instructed by President Joe Biden, said she had been told to issue London with a demarche, a formal diplomatic reprimand and an uncommon move among allies, the Times first reported.
The American diplomat said Britain was “inflaming” tensions in Ireland and Europe with its opposition to checks at ports in the province.
She then warned that worsening relations between Britain and the EU over the Irish protocol was “commanding the attention” of Joe Biden.
A UK government memo, seen by the Times, added that the US had “strongly urged” Britain to come to a “negotiated settlement” over Ireland, even if it meant “unpopular compromise”.
Lempert also reportedly told Frost that if Britain accepted demands to follow EU rules on agriculture standards, it would not affect Britain and the US reaching a trade deal.
Later today Biden will meet Boris Johnson, where the pair will agree a new Atlantic Charter that formally agreed a shared commitment on international issues.