Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams backs 'outstanding' Jeremy Corbyn for Prime Minister
The Irish Republican wants to see the Labour leader in 10 Downing Street "for the benefit of people in Britain".
Sunday 4 February 2018 15:48, UK
Departing Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams wants to see "outstanding" Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister.
The Irish Republican backed the Labour leader to enter 10 Downing Street "for the benefit of people in Britain".
He also praised Mr Corbyn for being among "people who were open to conversation" on achieving a peace settlement in Northern Ireland.
Mr Corbyn has consistently faced scrutiny over his links with Sinn Fein and Irish Republicans during the 1980s and 1990s - a period of bombings and shootings at the height of "The Troubles".
He has also reiterated his support for a united Ireland since becoming Labour leader.
Asked what difference it would make to the Republican cause if Mr Corbyn were to become Prime Minister, Mr Adams told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I would like to see Jeremy in that position (as Prime Minister) for the benefit of people in Britain, leaving Ireland out of it.
"I think Jeremy is an outstanding politician and I hope my endorsement of him is not used against him in the time ahead.
"He and (former London mayor) Ken Livingstone and others kept faith and they were the people who said, when others said no, 'talk'.
"They were the people who were open to conversation about how to deal with conflict and how to get conflict resolution processes."
Mr Livingstone is currently suspended from the Labour Party following his comments about anti-Semitism, Hitler and Zionism.
Mr Adams admitted a united Ireland was not "inevitable", adding: "It's only going to happen if we work at it.
"I come from a very, very straightforward position. I want to see an end to the British connection with Ireland."
But he warned Irish Republicans to be "very, very careful" that they are not seen to view the UK's "disastrous" departure from the EU as "something that can be exploited".
He repeated his demand for Northern Ireland to be given "special designated status" within the EU as "doable", but ruled out Sinn Fein taking their seats in the House of Commons in order to help influence the direction of Brexit.
After a surge in support for his party at both local and Westminster elections last year, Mr Adams said: "We, when we get a mandate, obey that mandate and stay true to that mandate.
"That vote was a vote for no British involvement in our affairs. The centre of political gravity being on the island of Ireland.
"So we will not betray those people who had a choice."
Mr Adams, who will be standing down as head of Sinn Fein later this month, admitted he is "concerned" the possibility of a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit might see a return of violence.
He later claimed the IRA "has gone" as he explained his "consistent" position towards the paramilitary group.
"I was not a member of the IRA, but I've never distanced myself from the IRA," he said.
Mr Adams' support for Mr Corbyn came as the Labour leader was put under further pressure on his position on Brexit.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has written to Mr Corbyn to urge him to support a second EU referendum, even though the Labour leader has previously ruled it out.
Sir Vince used his own appearance on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show to accuse Mr Corbyn of "collusion" with the Conservatives in enabling Brexit.
Meanwhile, pro-Remain Labour MP Chuka Umunna urged Mr Corbyn to put their party "on the right side of history" as he repeated his call for another vote on the UK's relationship with the EU.