Prior to this meeting, Mr Major had held an hour-long tete-a-tete with Mr Reynolds where the Prime Minister had contended that co-operation on security matters had been better than it had ever been. Former justice minister Padraig Flynn (Cathal McNaughton/PA)However, that assessment was challenged when Mr Flynn and Mr Mayhew joined the leaders. Mr Major told him not to worry about being discordant and assured him matters would be looked at. The Prime Minister joked that this meant officials who had been working 16 hours a day would now be working 24 hours a day. Mr Major reiterated his Government’s sincerity and attempted the resolve the row amicably: “I don’t mind being shouted at – it is quite like the House of Commons.

Source: The Herald December 27, 2025 00:16 UTC