COLONIAL EDITOR, CHURCHILL CLIVE

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has had to reassure Ulster Unionists that its proposed Occupied Territories Bill, actually refers to illegal the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank, and not to British rule in Northern Ireland, after some hard-line loyalists swore that if Dublin banned their products then they would retaliate in kind.

“Our efforts are focused on highlighting the illegitimate by of Israel of Palestinian land, not the legitimate British rule in Northern Ireland, which we support in full. Any confusion is regretted, and we apologize to those offended – Unionists and the British Government – for any upset caused to them,” said an Irish Government source.