Mr Bruton dismissed the claims insisting the "union is secure" after Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley suggested a hard Brexit could cause a break in the United Kingdom. Ms Bradley reportedly warned leaving the European Union without a deal could fuel calls for a referendum on the unification of Ireland. But Mr Bruton said he could not foresee a majority of Northern Irish citizens rallying for a vote "in the near future."
Commenting on the alleged warning from the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Bruton told the Today programme: "I think the union is secure.
"The Belfast Agreement – which we changed our constitution to accommodate – says clearly that Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom unless and until, by a free majority decision in Northern Ireland, they decide to change that.
"I don’t think that’s going to happen in the near future. I certainly don’t think one should make a big change like that in a referendum on the basis of a 52 to 48 percent majority because we’ve see with Brexit how divisive that can be.
"I don’t think there is a threat to the union of Northern Ireland and the UK."
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Brexit news: Bruton dismissed claims a hard Brexit could lead to united Ireland (Image: BLOOMBERG•YOUTUBE)
Ms Bradley refused to confirm she had indeed talked about a potential referendum on Irish reunification but warned a no deal Brexit will jeopardise the "constitutional arrangements" of the UK.
She told the Belfast Telegraph: "I am not
