US National Security Council senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat said Joe Biden was not “kept away” from people in Northern Ireland, adding that it was a “briefer stop” than his visit to the Republic of Ireland.
“The president had the opportunity to engage with the leaders of the parties ahead of the speech and others.
“I can say, as one who sat in the motorcade for about an hour before we left after the speech, the president was on the rope line in Belfast for I think almost an hour, engaging with virtually everybody, it seemed, that was sitting there.”
Read more: Joe Biden makes apparent mistaken reference to Black and Tans during speech
She said a “broad cross-section of people” had been invited to that event.
“The president really enjoyed his time in Belfast.”
The White House has also moved to clear up any confusion arising from Joe Biden's speech in Dundalk where he referenced the 'Black and Tans'.
Responding to the media, the White House said it was “very clear” to Irish rugby fans that US President Joe Biden was referring to the New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks when he made a mistaken reference to “the Black and Tans”.
Mr Biden appeared to confuse the name of the New Zealand team with a contentious War of Independence-era police force in Ireland during a speech in Co Louth on Wednesday.
The Black and Tans is a name for part-time officers recruited to bolster Royal Irish Constabulary numbers, many of whom gained a violent reputation.
Asked if he realised his mistake, NSC senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat said: “It was clear what the president was referring to, it was certainly clear to his cousins setting next to him.”
Mr Biden was standing near former Irish rugby international and his distant relative Rob Kearney, who had played in the rugby union match being discussed.
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