Full room – packed with media – in Russian Embassy to hear reaction of Russian Ambassador to expulsion of diplomat @rtenews @rtepolitics pic.twitter.com/tgv1ein1r1
— Martina Fitzgerald (@MartinaFitzg) March 27, 2018
The Russian Ambassador, Mr. Yury Filatov, leaving the Department of Foreign Affairs after being told by the Secretary General that a named diplomat had ten days to leave the coutry as a result of the Salisbury attack.
“In essence Taoiseach, you are asking us to trust Boris Johnson, and I dare say that this may not be the wisest course of action,” [Mary Lous McDonald told the dail]
Ms McDonald accused the Taoiseach of attempting to dismantle Ireland’s neutrality.
However Leo Varadkar said the decision was taken following an assessment carried out by Irish security services, including the defence forces and gardaí.
“This is very much an act of solidarity with the United Kingdom,” he said, but added that Ireland had no quarrel with the Russian people.
He said the decision on the individual person asked to leave was based on advice from gardaí and military intelligence….
Sorry.
Too silly.
Taoiseach says expulsion of diplomat is act of solidarity with UK (RTÉ)
Earlier: ‘Neutrality Hardly Compatible With EU Membership‘
Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews
Meanwhile…
Stand to be corrected but did the BBC know about the expulsion of one Russian diplomat an hour before the Dept of Foreign Affairs issued a statement. William Crawley (BBC Talkback, below) tweeted at 11.09am. https://t.co/qtLEcIRtYA
— NAMAwinelake (@namawinelake) March 27, 2018
William Crawley of the BBC reporting that Ireland will expel one Russian diplomat. So, no prior consultation with the Opposition then!
And Coveney was obviously acting on decision made at European Council level, rather than on yesterday’s “security assessment”. https://t.co/qtLEcIRtYA— NAMAwinelake (@namawinelake) March 27, 2018
Anyone?
