When the result of the Brexit referendum came through it was welcomed as a great thing by Donald Trump, who was visiting his Turnberry golf club in Ayrshire.

Joe Biden, then vice-president, was just 180 miles away giving a speech at Dublin Castle, which he noted was so long the symbolic centre of British occupation and oppression of Ireland, as part of a trip to receive an honorary doctorate from Trinity College.

Wed have preferred a different outcome, Mr Biden told Trinity scholars after receiving an honorary degree, as he warned about reactionary politicians and demagogues peddling xenophobia, nationalism and isolationism in Europe and the US.

Kamala Harris, Mr Bidens running-mate for the November election, at a Covid briefing in Delaware last week

MANDEL NGAN/AFP

Nor did Mr Biden, 77, mince his words last December when the man hailed by the American president

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What would a Biden presidency mean for Brexit, trade and the UK? - The Times