Joe Biden has been accused of “snubbing” the UK with his upcoming visit to Northern Ireland, with some MPs suggesting he is uninterested in the region.
Instead, Mr. Biden is said to have planned the visit to advance his own political agenda.
The US President has announced that he will visit Northern Ireland from April 11 to 14, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
However, he will not be present at the Coronation on May 6.
Conservative MP David Jones claimed that the US President believes the visit will help his re-election chances.
Meanwhile, a source within the influential European Research Group agreed that Mr. Biden’s visit is motivated by his “domestic political agenda,” rather than “because he truly cares about the Good Friday Agreement.”
According to the source, his decision to visit Northern Ireland while missing the Coronation is a “very disappointing decision” and a “snub.”
The White House said in a statement that the President will visit the United Kingdom and Ireland from April 11 to 14, noting that the trip will commemorate “the tremendous progress made since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.”
Mr. Biden has long pressed the UK to resolve the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol issue, previously warning Liz Truss’ Government against “efforts to undo” the protocol.
In February, the UK signed the Windsor Framework, a new agreement with the EU that was seen as a major breakthrough on the issue.