Row over Canadian ambassador to Ireland

A HUGE political row has erupted in Canada over plans by the Canadian government to appoint a new ambassador to Ireland.

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper has been criticised for nominating a close political ally rather than the usual career diplomat to its embassy in Dublin.

Mr Harper, leader of the Conservative government, announced earlier this week that Pat Binns, the recently defeated Tory premier of Canada’s smallest province Prince Edward Island, is to be take up the position of ambassador to Ireland.