Joe Biden delivers major snub to UK on world stage as President risks harming special relationship
Joe Biden appears to have delivered a major snub to the UK
Reuters
An exclusive GB News report by George Ivil
President Joe Biden has delivered a major snub to the United Kingdom by not flying the Union Flag on his car – but opting to attach the Republic of Ireland colours.
During his visit to Northern Ireland this week his official vehicle donned the USA stars and stripes banner and the presidential standard on the bonnet.
But hours later the symbol of the President on ‘The Beast’ was switched to the green, white and orange of Eire when he travelled south of the border.
Former First Minister of Northern Ireland and GB News Presenter, Arlene Foster, said: “I hope it’s not the case that he does not recognise Northern Ireland’s case within the United Kingdom which is of course is part of the Good Friday Agreement.
Barack Obama is seen with the Union Jack flag in 2013 in Northern Ireland
“I think his administration should be asked – it would be very interesting to hear what the administration has to say.”
GB News has contacted the White House for a response.
President Biden’s visit comes as part of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement commemorations.
Pictures of the Union Flag snub are from Mr Biden’s visit to RAF Aldergrove in County Antrim on Tuesday night just after he landed from America.
Joe Biden appears to have delivered a major snub to the UK
Biden is seen with the Union Flag as he attends the G7 summit in 2021
PA
The following day he flew south of the border for a tour of Republic of Ireland.
Hours later his car was seen arriving for a visit to Dundalk, Co Louth, with the Irish tricolor attached alongside the US flag.
But fellow Democrat and former President of the United State of America, Barack Obama, had the Union Flag on his car during a visit to Enniskillen in 2013.
In November 2021, on a visit to attend COP26 in Scotland, President Biden’s ‘Beast’ was adorned with the Union Flag.
It comes after the White House had issued a statement saying the President was not “anti-British”.
Amanda Sloat, his special assistant, said: “I think the track record of the president shows that he is not anti-British.
"The president has been very actively engaged throughout his career dating back to when he was a senator in the peace process in Northern Ireland and that involved engagement with leaders of all of Northern Ireland parties from both of the two main communities.”
Before his visit Baroness Foster had said President Biden “hates the UK”.