Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has apologised for an “off the cuff remark” about being an “intern” in Washington in the wake of the Bill Clinton scandal at an event for aspiring politicians today.
The Fine Gael leader made the quip as he remarked that he was an intern in Washington in the early 2000s when Mr Clinton was in power.
The former US President was embroiled in sex scandal in 1998 with Monica Lewinsky, a 22-year-old White House intern.
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Although he initially denied having an affair in the infamous televised speech in which he stated he “did not have sexual relations with that woman”, he later admitted to being in an “improper physical relationship”.
Mr Varadkar graduated from the Washington in Ireland Program (WIP) in 2000. This is a program for “promising leaders” who go through “personal development, policy debate and community service”.
The Taoiseach attended a ceremony for the 2023 WIP Class in Washington on Thursday afternoon. During his speech, he referenced the fact that he was an intern following a controversial time.
Mr Varadkar said that he was an intern at a time when "some parents would have had cause for concern about what would happen to interns in Washington".
The Irish Mirror was at the event where the comments were made.
A spokeswoman for the Taoiseach told the Irish Mirror: “At the Washington Ireland Program event today the Taoiseach was reminiscing about his time in Washington DC as an intern 23 years ago.
“He made an ill-judged off the cuff remark which he regrets.
“He apologises for any offence caused to anyone concerned.”
Mr Varadkar made the comments just hours after meeting Mr Clinton’s wife Hillary at an event at Georgetown University.
The Clintons also confirmed earlier this week that they will visit Ireland next month with US President Joe Biden as part of a trip to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
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