Burnham vows to ‘deepen relationship’ with EU as he hosts Ireland’s Martin

Andy Burnham has used a meeting with Irish counterpart Micheál Martin to push for deeper ties between the UK and the European Union.

He said the relationship with Ireland “matters so much on every single level” as the Taoiseach became the first international leader to visit No 10 North.

The Prime Minister said it was “very fitting” for Mr Martin to be the first head of government to visit the Manchester site because of the close ties between the North West and Ireland.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham greets Taoiseach Micheál Martin at No 10 North in Manchester (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA)

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Mr Martin said he looked forward to the UK having a “stronger and closer” relationship with the EU.

Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Mr Burnham said: “The relationship between the UK and Ireland matters so much on every single level.

“Close to home, as co-custodians of the Good Friday Agreement, we are working together to uphold its principles as we approach the 30th anniversary next year.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the first international leader to visit No 10 North (Oli Scarff/PA)

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“In Europe, we are looking forward to a UK-EU summit later this year and, with Ireland in the presidency, wanting to take further steps to deepen the relationship with Europe.”

As well as the visit to No 10 North, Mr Martin was joining the Prime Minister at an Irish club in his Makerfield constituency.

Mr Burnham said: “Here in the North West, but across the UK, so many people have Irish connections and they will be so pleased to see you with us today.

“So you are extremely welcome.

Andy Burnham and Micheál Martin outside No 10 North (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA)

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“I’m really pleased that you’re our first visitor here.”

Mr Martin said it had been a “very challenging and difficult week” for Mr Burnham following the death of his father Roy and “I think your sense of duty shines through”.

He said that “in a global world marked by a lot of uncertainty” it was important for the two close neighbours to have “very strong engagement”.

The Taoiseach said: “We look forward to discussing with you even stronger and closer relationships between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which will be of benefit to the European Union and indeed to Ireland, quite frankly.”

The Taoiseach is the first international leader to visit No 10 North for talks with the Prime Minister (Oli Scarff/PA)

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Mr Martin thanked Mr Burnham for his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Prime Minister reset the Government’s approach to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and stiffened sanctions over West Bank settlements.

He said: “I think for the United Kingdom under your leadership to take the stance that its taken, I think, is important for… standing up for humanitarian values and justice and fulfilling the rights of all in the Middle East to security, to peace and to some decent future for their children and generations to come.”

The meeting comes just days after US President Donald Trump made headlines by saying he would “love to see” a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach during a visit in Dublin.

Mr Trump said a united Ireland would “happen eventually” and that the Taoiseach was “the right man over here to get it moving”.