A BRITISH journalist has controversially listed The Irish Famine as a reason for Joe Biden and Boris Johnson getting along with one another.
Christopher Hope, who is the chief political correspondent for The Telegraph no less, left Irish social media in a bit of a tizzy after a rather unusual claim in his latest article - listing seven reasons why the British Prime Minister and the incoming US President will "get on just fine".
He wrote: "Biden's great, great, great grandfather, Edward Blewitt, left Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland for America during the Irish famine 170 years ago, which could mean he is well disposed towards Great Britain."
Such a glaringly awful take from your average person walking down the street would rightly receive castigation, but from an English 'political' correspondent ... it simply boggles the mind.
Holy sweet suffering Jesus. The last line in this 😳.
They’re, legitimately, seriously, never not at it.
I have to sit down.@christopherhope pic.twitter.com/b2MdviIARP— 🕶☀️Paul Anthony Ward 🌻 (@PaulAnthonyWard) January 20, 2021
Unsurprisingly, it hasn't gone down well.
One person wrote on Twitter while sharing a screenshot of the article: "Holy sweet suffering Jesus. The last line in this."
Another said, quite frankly: "Yikes. Irish people who left Ireland because of a Famine that GB propagated are unlikely to be well disposed to GB."
"I'm not sure sure the Irish memory of famine and emigration has been traditionally viewed as the foundation moment of pro-British sentiment. Some have suggested it may have fed other emotions," wrote Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat.
I’m not sure the Irish memory of famine and emigration has been traditionally viewed as the foundation moment of pro-British sentiment. Some have suggested it may have fed other emotions. pic.twitter.com/ePezsgNR67
— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) January 20, 2021
Comedian Dara O'Briain tweeted: "It's pretty astonishing that you can be the Chief Political Correspondent of The Telegraph and think that if, it had any relevance at all, the Irish Famine would make somebody MORE sympathetic to Britain."
It’s pretty astonishing that you can be the Chief Political Correspondent of The Telegraph and think that if, it had any relevance at all, the Irish Famine would make somebody MORE sympathetic to Britain. (Note the sub-clause, angry twitter: I’m not carrying any famine grudge). https://t.co/lIO2CLBkJF
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) January 20, 2021
Despite the monstrous c*ck-up, Mr Hope may well be right. It appears likely that Biden will enjoy an extremely positive relationship with the UK.
Just make sure you've done your research next time you delve in to Anglo-Irish history, pal.
