BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has not ruled out his government helping to fund the rebuild of the derelict GAA stadium Casement Park.
Last week, the UK government announced that it would not fund the redevelopment of the Belfast stadium in time for the Euros in 2028, which will be hosted by Ireland and the UK.
In a letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said this was due to “a significant risk that it would not be built in time”, adding that the cost of the build had risen to £400 million (€470 million).
Speaking to BBC, Starmer defended his government’s handling of the situation, insisting it had “inherited a very bad situation” from the previous administration.
“The question was timing and cost and unfortunately, we couldn’t make a decision to go ahead on that basis,” Starmer said.
“But we do need an alternative proposition which we will be working on to make sure we can take this forward.”
He did not rule out the UK government providing funding, but said that “there needs to be an alternative”.
Casement Park was originally to be rebuilt as a GAA venue at the same time as investment in the football ground Windsor Park and rugby stadium at Ravenhill more than a decade ago.
However, the redevelopment of Casement was delayed because of factors including legal challenges by local residents.
Earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn described being in a “new situation” with a new design needed as well as work to identify funding for it.
Speaking during a visit to Derry, Benn said the UK government was forced to take the decision not to redevelop Casement Park for the Euros because of the previous Conservative government having “done absolutely nothing” to take the project forward.
He said he met GAA president Jarlath Burns in recent days and understands the importance of Casement Park.
“The design will have to be different from the one that was put together for the Euros and I am committed to finding a way forward, but we’re going to have pause and work out what actually is going to be built, what it will look like because the design will be different, and secondly, how the money can be identified to take it forward,” he added.
Taoiseach Simon Harris earlier this week said Starmer had given “serious consideration” to the decision and had “in many ways, inherited this situation”.
Harris also said the Government is “ready to assist” and recommitted the Government to the €50 million previously pledged to rebuild the sports ground.
“The Irish Government is open to continuing to have conversations about anything more we can do to help, but we’re not quite there yet,” he said.
“What we now need to see is what the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive want to do next.”
With reporting from Press Association
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