First minister’s embrace of Rishi Sunak said to have sparked criticism of PM from Conservative colleagues

First Minister Michelle O’Neill hugging British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Stormont has caused concern among some Conservative MPs, it has been claimed.

Mr Sunak paid a visit to Stormont Castle on Monday alongside Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to welcome the first sitting of the new executive.

The prime minister greeted Ms O’Neill with a hug, but the embrace has led to criticism among some right wing commentators on social media, while some Conservative MPs are also said to be up in arms over the show of affection.

Former Daily Telegraph assistant editor and chief political correspondent Christopher Hope, who now works as political editor for right wing channel GB News, posted an image to X (formerly Twitter) platform of the two leaders hugging, with the embrace watched by smiling Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.

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“Conservative MPs were last night sharing this picture from Twitter of the PM hugging Michelle O’Neill - an image warmer than handshakes (and a refusal to wave) on the steps of Stormont Castle,” he wrote.

“One told me: “A handshake, just about maybe but this? What will the DUP make of it?””

Trade unionist and pro-Brexit commentator Paul Embry said in a post: “Even leaving aside O’Neill and Sinn Fein’s murky history (if that’s at all possible), I just don’t think it’s appropriate for political leaders (especially a PM) to engage in these mushy displays of mutual affection.”