Row erupts after DUP MP Gavin Robinson says people born in Northern Ireland have to be British before they can be Irish

Mr. Robinson, who is MP for East Belfast, made the comments via video link during the second reading of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill in the House of Commons on Monday.

"The reality is that citizens born in Northern Ireland under the Belfast Agreement have the right to both Irish citizenship and British citizenship, but it's in addition to British citizenship not instead of it," said Mr. Robinson.

On the topic of Irish and British citizenship in Northern Ireland, the Belfast Agreement states commitments made by both British and Irish governments "recognise the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland."

Among those to disagree with Mr. Robinson's comments were citizens' rights campaigner, Emma De Souza and SDLP leader and MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood.

"This statement from Gavin Robinson of the DUP cannot nor should not be allowed to go unchallenged," wrote Mrs. De Souza on Twitter.

"Not only because it is wholly inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement but because it seeks to place a British identity above that of an Irish identity."

Mrs. De Souza, who secured a concession from the British Home Office last week over emigration rights, claimed Mr. Robinson's statement flew in the face of what was secured in the Belfast Agreement.

"It also demonstrates the uphill battle that Irish citizens still face in having our rights under the Good Friday Agreement fully recognised.

"The birthright provisions are for all of us, not just one community."

SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood MP, reacted by tweeting: "Sorry Gavin, you don't get to determine my identity."

Self-titled unionist activist, Jamie Bryson, agreed with Mr. Robinson by describing the comments as "absolutely correct".

"Absolutely correct @GRobinsonDUP- those born in NI are born in the U.K & as such are British citizens," he tweeted.

Mrs. De Souza is due to appear on Nolan Live on BBC1NI at 10.45pm on Wednesday where it's expected she will discuss the matter further.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe

Editor