Charlie Flanagan, the foreign affairs minister, has declined a request by former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell for honorary Irish citizenship, saying he will have to join the queue.
Tony Blair’s former spokesman contacted Flanagan in the hope of securing an Irish passport following the Brexit referendum last summer, saying he hoped the Irish government would offer citizenship in return for his role in the peace process in the 1990s.
The communications strategist has already been honoured by Trinity College and UCD for his political contribution to peace. He documented his role in the negotiations in The Irish Diaries, one of a series of diaries covering his time as Blair’s press secretary from 1994 to 2003.
Campbell confirmed last week he would like to be made an honorary Irishman, but suggested his request was in jest. “I’ve been badgering Charlie Flanagan,” he said. “Most of the main universities have given me some kind of award for my part in the peace process. Surely a little passport for me and my family would be a nice government act.”
Campbell admitted he was unlikely to get a passport if forced to go through official channels. “Sadly, I have no Irish blood — I’m 100% Scottish — so I suggest starting a campaign to get the government to give me honorary citizenship, and a passport.”
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An outspoken “remain” campaigner, he is one of a growing number of British citizens who are considering the benefits of having an Irish passport once the UK leaves the European Union.
President Michael D Higgins can confer citizenship as a token of gratitude on the recommendation of a senior government official. Flanagan said he had politely declined the suggestion he pull strings for Campbell. “This has been mentioned to me by Alastair in a light-hearted way,” he said. “And I referred him immediately to the website of the Department of Justice, which deals with citizenship and eligibility.”
Flanagan said he wished Campbell well if he decided to look for Irish roots. “There are lots of Campbells in Ireland. I’m sure he is sifting through the appropriate register to find eligible roots,” he said.
Honorary citizenship is provided for in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. Section 12 states: “The president may grant Irish citizenship as a token of honour to a person who, in the opinion of the government, has done signal honour or rendered distinguished service to the nation.”
A total of 12 people have been granted citizenship since 1957, including Russborough House owner Sir Alfred Beit, former US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, and former Ireland manager Jack Charlton. The last person to receive the honour was Donald Keough, the late Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who was conferred by President Mary McAleese in 2007. The office of the president said: “Recommendations for honorary Irish citizenship are granted by the president, on the advice of government. Proposals are agreed by the cabinet, usually on the recommendation of the minister for justice.”
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Those who are granted Irish citizenship are usually granted passports for themselves and their spouses. Campbell’s wife is journalist Fiona Millar, a former adviser to Cherie Blair. The couple have three children. Campbell has also made light-hearted references to his desire for a passport on Twitter. Last April he tweeted Frances Fitzgerald, the minister for justice: “Hey there, how goes my honorary citizenship passport award?”
When Ireland played cricket against England at Lord’s last month, he tweeted: “So @charlieflanagan hope I get a few tokens towards the Irish passport for cheering the lads on at Lord’s.”