Heather Humphreys says presidential race rival used ‘language of Nigel Farage’
By Bairbre Holmes, PA
Heather Humphreys has accused her rival for the Aras, Catherine Connolly, of using “the language of Nigel Farage”.
In a speech on the EU, delivered to her supporters in central Dublin on Friday, she said: “The other candidate in this race spoke the language of Nigel Farage when she accused those of us who wanted to warn of the dangers of Brexit, of ‘Project Fear’, and concluded the British people had not been fooled.
“It showed bad judgment then, and even poorer judgment now.”
Project Fear was a label given by pro-Brexit campaigners to some of the arguments of those who advocated for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum.
In the speech she also reiterated criticism of Ms Connolly’s attitudes towards Ireland’s allies when discussing the country’s presidency of the Council of the EU, which it is due to hold from July to December next year.
She said 40 European leaders are expected to visit Ireland for the “largest head of government and state meeting ever held here” and said she “certainly won’t be insulting them”.
During previous media appearances Ms Humphreys has claimed Catherine Connolly “insulted” some of Ireland’s allies, in particular when Ms Connolly made comments comparing Germany’s current military build-up with its militarisation under the Nazis in the 1930s.
Ms Connolly previously described the allegations as “scurrilous”.
Later the Fine Gael candidate appeared on RTÉ’s Six One News where she was challenged by Sharon Tobin that many people, especially conservative voters, don’t feel there is a candidate that represents their views in this election.
Ms Humphreys responded saying: “Well, I would represent everybody if I am president and I’m asking people to put their trust in me.
“I’m saying to them, I’m a middle ground person. I’m a centre, a centrist.”
“I am pro-European, and I won’t let this country down.”
She also spent some time on Friday out and about campaigning in Howth Harbour in north Dublin where she sampled some chips from Leo Burdock’s, the iconic fish and chip shop.She was joined by Fianna Fail’s Darragh O’Brien TD who said he is supporting her in a “personal capacity”.
The minister said he believes “Heather is the best person” for the job, adding his daughter is a “massive fan”.
Asked if he would vote for Jim Gavin, his party’s candidate whose name remains on the ballot, despite withdrawing from the race, Mr O’Brien said “what’s happened has happened and we’ve moved on from that.”
