The presence of top Irish leaders at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III was expected to be a major milestone in the relations between Dublin and London. Leo Varadkar, the&nbsp;taoiseach, President Michael D Higgins and&nbsp;Sinn Féin’s deputy leader, Michelle O’Neill, were among those who attended the event. But it was&nbsp;Varadkar's partner&nbsp;Matt Barrett and his supposedly 'harmless jokes'&nbsp;that may have left the Irish government in an embarrassing spot.&nbsp;

According to reports,&nbsp;Barrett live-blogged his thoughts during the ceremony to his 350-odd followers on a private Instagram group with several crude references.

Barret first posted a photo taken from&nbsp;the Taoiseach’s car as it headed along the Mall.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Holy sh*t I think I’m accidentally crowned king of England,” he joked.&nbsp;

Once inside Westminster Abbey and seated, Barret was presented with a 50-page booklet that detailed the crowing of the king and queen in rather excruciating detail. At page no. 38, a couple of entries in the Order of Service caught Matthew’s eye.

“The queen’s sceptre and rod are brought from the altar by the Right Rev and Right Hon the Lord Chartres GCVO and the Right Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin CD MBE, Bishop of Dover. The queen touches them in turn,” read one of the paragraphs on the page.&nbsp;

Barret, tickled by the phrasing of the paragraph, took a photo and highlighted "the queen touches them in turn" with a green line.

He added,&nbsp;“Sounds like the script to a good night out, tbh (to be honest)," using double-entendre to show his hilarity.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/british-monarchy-relevant-or-relic-wion-wideangle-589835">WATCH |&nbsp;British Monarchy: Relevant or Relic? | WION Wideangle</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/british-monarchy-relevant-or-relic-wion-wideangle-589835/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The taoiseach's&nbsp;beloved did not stop here and continued to amuse himself after stumbling upon&nbsp;Right Rev James Newcome, a gentleman who rejoices in the title Clerk of the Closet.

"Clerk of the Closet?" Matthew highlights it in orange and adds, “Had this job until my early 20s,” before pressing send.

The last joke of the ceremony, courtesy of Barret came when King Charles III was&nbsp;presented his crown. Referring to a famous sorting hat scene&nbsp;from the Harry Potter books and movie franchise, Barret said:&nbsp;“Was genuinely half expecting it to shout ‘GRYFFINDOR’”

While Barrett certainly made no friends in the British high circles with his steady drivel, Varadkar did no favours to himself after he was spotted and filmed - picking his nose.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;taoiseach's office is yet to comment on the issue but political opponents have demanded that&nbsp;Varadkar issue an apology on behalf of his partner.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The presence of top Irish leaders at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III was expected to be a major milestone in the relations between Dublin and London.

The presence of top Irish leaders at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III was expected to be a major milestone in the relations between Dublin and London. Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, President Michael D Higgins and Sinn Féin’s deputy leader, Michelle O’Neill, were among those who attended the event. But it was Varadkar's partner Matt Barrett and his supposedly 'harmless jokes' that may have left the Irish government in an embarrassing spot. According to reports, Barrett live-blogged his thoughts during the ceremony to his 350-odd followers on a private Instagram group with several crude references. Barret first posted a photo taken from the Taoiseach’s car as it headed along the Mall. “Holy sh*t I think I’m accidentally crowned king of England,” he joked. Once inside Westminster Abbey and seated, Barret was presented with a 50-page booklet that detailed the crowing of the king and queen in rather excruciating detail. At page no. 38, a couple of entries in the Order of Service caught Matthew’s eye. “The queen’s sceptre and rod are brought from the altar by the Right Rev and Right Hon the Lord Chartres GCVO and the Right Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin CD MBE, Bishop of Dover. The queen touches them in turn,” read one of the paragraphs on the page. Barret, tickled by the phrasing of the paragraph, took a photo and highlighted "the queen touches them in turn" with a green line. He added, “Sounds like the script to a good night out, tbh (to be honest)," using double-entendre to show his hilarity. WATCH | British Monarchy: Relevant or Relic? | WION Wideangle × The taoiseach's beloved did not stop here and continued to amuse himself after stumbling upon Right Rev James Newcome, a gentleman who rejoices in the title Clerk of the Closet. "Clerk of the Closet?" Matthew highlights it in orange and adds, “Had this job until my early 20s,” before pressing send. The last joke of the ceremony, courtesy of Barret came when King Charles III was presented his crown. Referring to a famous sorting hat scene from the Harry Potter books and movie franchise, Barret said: “Was genuinely half expecting it to shout ‘GRYFFINDOR’” While Barrett certainly made no friends in the British high circles with his steady drivel, Varadkar did no favours to himself after he was spotted and filmed - picking his nose. The taoiseach's office is yet to comment on the issue but political opponents have demanded that Varadkar issue an apology on behalf of his partner. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Irish govt embarrassed as PM Varadkar's partner makes crude jokes during Charles coronation

PM Leo Varadkar has resigned after Ireland parliament entered deadlock over the choice of a new premier.

However, he retained his role as the interim leader while the country's three main parties battle out coalition talks after an inconclusive election.

He handed over his resignation to President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Michael Higgins</a> after a tempestuous but inconclusive sitting of the Dáil Éireann, which met for the first time since the February 8 election.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Sinn Fein surges as most popular party in Irish election</a>

It adjourned until March 5, giving party leaders three weeks to try to form a ruling coalition.

"In accordance with the constitution, the government will continue to carry on their duties until successors have been appointed," a government statement said.

Varadkar, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Sinn Fein</a> leader, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Mary Lou McDonald</a>, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Fianna Fail</a> leader, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Micheal Martin</a>, and the Green party leader, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Eamon Ryan</a>, were nominated by their parties but all, as expected, fell far short of an 80-seat majority in the 160-seat chamber.

McDonald won the most 45 votes, with 84 against and 29 abstentions.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-the-end-for-varadkar-is-nigh-irish-vote-may-give-sinn-fein-a-surging-lead-279496">The end for Varadkar is nigh</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Sinn Fein</a>, which once served as the political wing of paramilitary the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sinn-fein-surges-as-most-popular-party-in-irish-election-279810">Irish Republican Army</a> (IRA), became the second biggest party with 37 seats, breaking the historic duopoly of centre-right parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

However, the 33rd dáil ended in a stalemate.

"The onus is on those who have made enormous promises of change to people during this election, who are entrusted with that mandate to bring a programme for government to the Dail for approval,"&nbsp;Varadkar&nbsp;said in parliament before departing to resign.&nbsp;

"If they cannot, they should say so and be upfront and honest about their failure, and the empty promises they made," he added.

Sinn Fein has been historically associated with the IRA which fought British rule in Northern Ireland for decades until the late 1990s when a peace agreement largely ended violence that left more than 3,000 dead on all sides.

It won the popular vote with 24.5 per cent of first preference ballots and picked up 14 seats by attracting voters with a campaign focusing on Ireland's housing shortage and health crisis.

PM Leo Varadkar has resigned after Ireland parliament entered deadlock over the choice of a new premier. However, he retained his role as the interim leader while the country's three main parties battle out coalition talks after an inconclusive election.

PM Leo Varadkar has resigned after Ireland parliament entered deadlock over the choice of a new premier. However, he retained his role as the interim leader while the country's three main parties battle out coalition talks after an inconclusive election. He handed over his resignation to President Michael Higgins after a tempestuous but inconclusive sitting of the Dáil Éireann, which met for the first time since the February 8 election. Also read: Sinn Fein surges as most popular party in Irish election It adjourned until March 5, giving party leaders three weeks to try to form a ruling coalition. "In accordance with the constitution, the government will continue to carry on their duties until successors have been appointed," a government statement said. Varadkar, the Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, the Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, and the Green party leader, Eamon Ryan, were nominated by their parties but all, as expected, fell far short of an 80-seat majority in the 160-seat chamber. McDonald won the most 45 votes, with 84 against and 29 abstentions. Also read: The end for Varadkar is nigh Sinn Fein, which once served as the political wing of paramilitary the Irish Republican Army (IRA), became the second biggest party with 37 seats, breaking the historic duopoly of centre-right parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. However, the 33rd dáil ended in a stalemate. "The onus is on those who have made enormous promises of change to people during this election, who are entrusted with that mandate to bring a programme for government to the Dail for approval," Varadkar said in parliament before departing to resign. "If they cannot, they should say so and be upfront and honest about their failure, and the empty promises they made," he added. Sinn Fein has been historically associated with the IRA which fought British rule in Northern Ireland for decades until the late 1990s when a peace agreement largely ended violence that left more than 3,000 dead on all sides. It won the popular vote with 24.5 per cent of first preference ballots and picked up 14 seats by attracting voters with a campaign focusing on Ireland's housing shortage and health crisis.

PM Leo Varadkar resigns after Irish government enters stalemate

Ireland&#39;s minority government looked set to collapse on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister, weeks before a summit on Britain&#39;s plans to leave the European Union. 
 
The crisis is likely to lead to an election next month or in January and may complicate the December 14-15 Brexit summit. 
 
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is due to play a major role in the talks, telling EU leaders whether Ireland believes sufficient progress has been made on the future border between EU-member Ireland and Britain&#39;s province of Northern Ireland.

The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move the talks onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants.

Varadkar is now likely to go into the summit as a lame duck prime minister or in the middle of an election campaign.&nbsp;

The head of opposition party Fianna Fail Micheal Martin said his party had submitted a motion of no-confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald over her handling of a legal case involving a police whistleblower.

Martin told state broadcaster RTE an election &quot;can be avoided if the government takes action&quot; by asking Fitzgerald to resign. But the government said this would not happen.

Varadkar and Martin are due to meet later on Friday.

&quot;At a time when issues and decisions will need to be made that will reverberate in our country for decades to come, the prospect of either an election taking place or a government not being in place afterwards is actually unconscionable,&quot; Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told RTE.

&quot;These are historic decisions ... The agenda that is at play here is one of political interest. We need to be aware of the consequences of the approach that Fianna Fail are taking here,&quot; the usually calm Donohoe fumed.

Asked if Varadkar could seek to dissolve parliament on Friday, Donohoe said that was a matter for the prime minister.&nbsp;

Junior Finance Minister Michael D`Arcy told Reuters he believed there would be an election before Christmas and a source familiar with the party`s planning said it had begun to make preparations on Friday for an election.&nbsp;

Border debate

As well as the border, the other issues Brussels wants resolved before talks move on to trade arrangements are Britain&#39;s financial settlement on leaving the bloc and the rights of EU citizens living in Britain.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier assured Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Friday that the EU would defend Dublin&#39;s position in talks with Britain over the coming weeks.

&quot;Strong solidarity with Ireland,&quot; Barnier wrote on Twitter. &quot;Irish issues are EU issues.&quot;

Coveney told parliament on Thursday the government was not yet ready to allow the talks to move on to trade issues and needed more clarity from London.

Fianna Fail`s Martin said Varadkar could still take part in the EU summit and that parliament would be united in supporting him. But the collapse would inevitably distract Varadkar and could undermine his standing during the talks.&nbsp;

University College Dublin politics professor David Farrell said Varadkar may be tempted to take a hard line against the United Kingdom in the talks in a bid to shore up support among voters who are overwhelmingly against Brexit.&nbsp;

&quot;I suppose the only card he can try and play to distract from the crazy shenanigans around the causes of this election is leadership in Europe,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Christmas election 
 
An election in December or January would be dominated by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, two centre-right parties that differ little on policy but have been bitter foes for decades.&nbsp;

But it would also present an opportunity for Irish nationalists Sinn Fein to see if leader Gerry Adam`s decision last week to step down will boost its support. While Sinn Fein has said it wants to enter government, the two largest parties have ruled out doing a deal with the party, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).&nbsp;

Since Varadkar`s appointment as Fine Gael leader six months ago, his party has narrowly led Fianna Fail in opinion polls that suggest both parties would increase their support but struggle to form anything but another minority government.&nbsp;

The Fianna Fail move comes after Fitzgerald admitted she was made aware of an attempt to discredit a police whistleblower in a 2015 email, but failed to act. Fine Gael say she adhered to due process. 
The case relates to a whistleblower who alleged widespread misconduct in the force. His treatment by the authorities led in 2014 to the resignations of the then police commissioner and justice minister.

Ireland's minority government looked set to collapse on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister

Ireland's minority government looked set to collapse on Friday after the party propping it up submitted a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister, weeks before a summit on Britain's plans to leave the European Union. The crisis is likely to lead to an election next month or in January and may complicate the December 14-15 Brexit summit. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is due to play a major role in the talks, telling EU leaders whether Ireland believes sufficient progress has been made on the future border between EU-member Ireland and Britain's province of Northern Ireland. The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move the talks onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. Varadkar is now likely to go into the summit as a lame duck prime minister or in the middle of an election campaign. The head of opposition party Fianna Fail Micheal Martin said his party had submitted a motion of no-confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald over her handling of a legal case involving a police whistleblower. Martin told state broadcaster RTE an election "can be avoided if the government takes action" by asking Fitzgerald to resign. But the government said this would not happen. Varadkar and Martin are due to meet later on Friday. "At a time when issues and decisions will need to be made that will reverberate in our country for decades to come, the prospect of either an election taking place or a government not being in place afterwards is actually unconscionable," Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told RTE. "These are historic decisions ... The agenda that is at play here is one of political interest. We need to be aware of the consequences of the approach that Fianna Fail are taking here," the usually calm Donohoe fumed. Asked if Varadkar could seek to dissolve parliament on Friday, Donohoe said that was a matter for the prime minister. Junior Finance Minister Michael D`Arcy told Reuters he believed there would be an election before Christmas and a source familiar with the party`s planning said it had begun to make preparations on Friday for an election. Border debate As well as the border, the other issues Brussels wants resolved before talks move on to trade arrangements are Britain's financial settlement on leaving the bloc and the rights of EU citizens living in Britain. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier assured Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney on Friday that the EU would defend Dublin's position in talks with Britain over the coming weeks. "Strong solidarity with Ireland," Barnier wrote on Twitter. "Irish issues are EU issues." Coveney told parliament on Thursday the government was not yet ready to allow the talks to move on to trade issues and needed more clarity from London. Fianna Fail`s Martin said Varadkar could still take part in the EU summit and that parliament would be united in supporting him. But the collapse would inevitably distract Varadkar and could undermine his standing during the talks. University College Dublin politics professor David Farrell said Varadkar may be tempted to take a hard line against the United Kingdom in the talks in a bid to shore up support among voters who are overwhelmingly against Brexit. "I suppose the only card he can try and play to distract from the crazy shenanigans around the causes of this election is leadership in Europe," he said. Christmas election An election in December or January would be dominated by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, two centre-right parties that differ little on policy but have been bitter foes for decades. But it would also present an opportunity for Irish nationalists Sinn Fein to see if leader Gerry Adam`s decision last week to step down will boost its support. While Sinn Fein has said it wants to enter government, the two largest parties have ruled out doing a deal with the party, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Since Varadkar`s appointment as Fine Gael leader six months ago, his party has narrowly led Fianna Fail in opinion polls that suggest both parties would increase their support but struggle to form anything but another minority government. The Fianna Fail move comes after Fitzgerald admitted she was made aware of an attempt to discredit a police whistleblower in a 2015 email, but failed to act. Fine Gael say she adhered to due process. The case relates to a whistleblower who alleged widespread misconduct in the force. His treatment by the authorities led in 2014 to the resignations of the then police commissioner and justice minister.

Irish government set to fall weeks before Brexit summit

irish-government

Irish Government, News on Irish Government, stories on Irish Government, articles on Irish Government, Irish Government stories at Wion, Irish Government news, Irish Government latest news

irish government

Irish govt embarrassed as PM Varadkar's partner makes crude jokes during Charles coronation

PM Leo Varadkar resigns after Irish government enters stalemate

Irish government set to fall weeks before Brexit summit