London mayor Sadiq Khan visits Dublin and argues against no-deal Brexit
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Dublin on Thursday and argued against the prospect of a “devastating” no-deal Brexit.
President Michael D Higgins welcomed Mr Khan to his home in Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday morning.
Mr Khan congratulated Mr Higgins on his recent re-election before the two discussed a wide range of issues of mutual concern, including climate change, sustainable development, housing, transport and ‘Brexit’.
London just wouldn’t be the city it is without the contribution of the Irish community. Today I made sure @PresidentIRL @MichaelDHiggins knows London is and always will be open to our Irish friends. #LondonIsOpen pic.twitter.com/w6g8Z65NAi
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) December 6, 2018
A statement from the President said Mr Higgins also expressed; “sympathies and support for the people of London, who have experienced a number of terrorist attacks in recent years, and the tragedy of Grenfell Towers”.
After the visit Mr Khan took to social media, saying: “London just wouldn’t be the city it is without the contribution of the Irish community.
“Today I made sure President Higgins knows London is and always will be open to our Irish friends.”
Mr Khan went on to visit the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and met with students of Trinity College where the topic of Brexit was continually raised.
“The worst possible outcome, which remains a grave concern given the political uncertainty in Westminster, is that the UK leaves the EU with no Brexit deal at all,” Mr Khan said in a speech.
“This would not only be devastating for London’s economy, but would actually hurt businesses and economies across Europe, including here in Dublin, and increase the chance of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
“In my view, the prospect, the very notion, of a no-deal Brexit must be taken off the table by the British Government.
London Calling: @SadiqKhan called in to @merrionstreet today. Great city. Looking forward to return visit. pic.twitter.com/L3pghaNVX0
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) December 6, 2018
“It’s just too dangerous to leave as a possibility.
“That’s why, today, I’m calling on Theresa May to withdraw Article 50 if the British Parliament rejects her deal next week, which is looking extremely likely.
“This move would be the single best way to guarantee that we avoid falling off the cliff edge.
“It would stop the clock that is ticking down towards a no-deal Brexit, and it would provide the breathing space to decide how we resolve this mess.
“If the British Prime Minister refuses to take this precautionary step, we would continue heading towards a no-deal Brexit in just a few months.
Mr Khan also held talks with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and met Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee in Dublin’s Government Buildings.
Speaking on social media the Taoiseach said he was “looking forward to return visit” to London after meeting with Mr Khan.
President Michael D Higgins has held discussions with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who is visiting Dublin.
President Higgins thanked him for his work in relation to the celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the British capital.
The two men discussed a wide range of issues, including climate change, sustainable development, housing, transport and 'Brexit'.
The Brexit process should be halted to allow time for a general election or another referendum if MPs reject Theresa May's deal, Sadiq Khan is urging.
Mr Khan is using the visit to Ireland to argue against the prospect of a "devastating" no-deal Brexit.
The President welcomed the @MayorofLondon, Mr. Sadiq Khan, to Áras an Uachtaráin.
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) December 6, 2018
The Mayor signed the Distinguished Visitors Book before his formal meeting with the President, in the State Drawing Room.https://t.co/PItltySi1H pic.twitter.com/CsYmdJqGXE
Mr Khan, a prominent pro-EU campaigner during the 2016 referendum, suggests the UK should withdraw the Article 50 notification which began the countdown to the March 29, 2019 Brexit date to allow more time to "resolve this mess".
Speaking in Dublin, he said: "The worst possible outcome - which remains a grave concern given the political uncertainty in Westminster - is that the UK leaves the EU with no Brexit deal at all.
"This would not only be devastating for London's economy, but would actually hurt businesses and economies across Europe, including here in Dublin, and increase the chance of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
In my view, the prospect, the very notion, of a no-deal Brexit must be taken off the table by the British Government. It's just too dangerous to leave as a possibility.
"That's why, today, I'm calling on Theresa May to withdraw Article 50 if the British Parliament rejects her deal next week, which is looking extremely likely.
"This move would be the single best way to guarantee that we avoid falling off the cliff edge.
"It would stop the clock that is ticking down towards a no-deal Brexit, and it would provide the breathing space to decide how we resolve this mess.
"If the British Prime Minister refuses to take this precautionary step - we would continue heading towards a no-deal Brexit in just a few months' time - and would risk us having to explain to future generations why the Government of the day knowingly put our economy, our prosperity and our place on the world stage in such grave peril."
