Taoiseach ‘endured taunts’ during peace negotiations

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern quietly endured taunts and abuse from unionists during delicate Northern Ireland peace negotiations, a former PR guru to the British government claimed yesterday.

Former director of communications and strategy for Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell said Mr Ahern often sat in a room beside the British Prime Minister and was “absolutely abused”.

In an effort to avoid confrontation, Mr Ahern would only utter a response with “choice colourful” words when those who taunted him left the room, Mr Campbell told RTÉ’s Today with Tom McGurk.