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I thought it was a bad idea before the referendum, and I think it is an even worse idea now Hillary Clinton

And she said it was crucial arrangements for the Irish border did not undermine “peace and prosperity” in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile former Vice President Joe Biden, who was also visiting the UK this week, has also voiced his opposition to the process, suggesting the transatlantic partnership was strengthened by Britain’s membership of the bloc. Mrs Clinton made her remarks during a visit to Queen’s University, where she collected an honorary degree for her “considerable contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process”. She told guests: “I make no excuse for being against Brexit from the start,” explaining she had “thought it was a bad idea before the referendum, and I think it is an even worse idea now.”

She told guests: “I make no excuse for being against Brexit from the start,” explaining she had “thought it was a bad idea before the referendum, and I think it is an even worse idea now.” She added: “Brexit seems to be going ahead one way or the other. “It is crucial that however it comes out, Brexit should not be allowed to undermine the peace and prosperity that has been so dearly won here.” Mrs Clinton called on Northern Ireland’s two main communities to set aside their differences and form a temporary executive to offer a unified voice on Brexit.

Hillary Clinton said Brexit was a "self-inflicted wound"

Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump in the 2016 US Presidential election

The Northern Ireland assembly has not sat since its collapse in January 2017. She and husband Bill, who was US President, were instrumental in forging 1998’s Good Friday Agreement which paved the way for the end of paramilitary violence. She said: “The uncertainty surrounding Brexit for everyone is substantial, but here in Northern Ireland it is acute”. She added: “Twenty quiet years can make it easy to take for granted that peace and prosperity will always continue.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden also spoke out against Brexit this week

“History teaches a different lesson. “Peace is fragile, progress can be fleeting, and prosperity can leave.” Mrs Clinton acknowledged the difficulty of coalition-building, but said the current situation went beyond politics. A functioning Northern Ireland executive could have an impact on the final terms of any Brexit deal, she emphasised.