Democratic Unionist Party stalwart Sammy Wilson has erupted in fury over King Charles III's decision to meet Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Hillsborough Castle, delivering a blistering condemnation that has sent shockwaves through Westminster.
Constitutional Outrage
The East Antrim MP didn't mince words, declaring the monarch had "damaged the integrity of the Crown" by hosting the Irish leader at the royal residence. In an extraordinary breach of royal protocol criticism, Wilson accused the King of undermining Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.
Protocol Breach Allegations
The meeting, which took place at the Co Down castle where the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was signed, has been interpreted by unionists as granting the Republic of Ireland undue influence over Northern Irish affairs. Wilson specifically objected to what he perceived as recognition of the Irish government's role in the region's internal matters.
"This isn't just about a meeting - it's about the very fabric of our union," Wilson stated, his words carrying the weight of decades of unionist politics. The veteran politician suggested the encounter sent entirely the wrong message about Northern Ireland's constitutional status.
Royal Residence Controversy
The choice of Hillsborough Castle as the venue added particular symbolic significance to the encounter. As the official royal residence in Northern Ireland, the castle represents the Crown's presence in the region, making the meeting there particularly contentious in unionist eyes.
Wilson's outburst reflects growing unionist unease about the direction of royal diplomacy in post-Brexit Northern Ireland. The DMP hardliner made clear that from his perspective, the monarchy should be reinforcing Northern Ireland's British identity rather than engaging in what he sees as gestures that blur constitutional lines.
Mounting Political Tensions
The controversy comes at a delicate time for Northern Irish politics, with the Democratic Unionist Party already engaged in ongoing disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol and its successor, the Windsor Framework. Wilson's comments signal that unionist concerns extend beyond trade arrangements to encompass symbolic royal engagements.
As the fallout continues, questions remain about how the monarchy will navigate its role in Northern Ireland's complex political landscape while maintaining the constitutional neutrality expected of the Crown.
