Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discusses gay rights issue with Mike Pence

Taoiseach meets for private breakfast at Pence’s Washington home.

Mike Pence invited Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner Matthew Barrett to visit his home during a meeting at his official residence on Friday morning.

Mr Varadkar joined Mr Pence, his wife Karen and Mr Pence’s mother for breakfast at the Naval Observatory in Washington DC.

The meeting had been highly anticipated given Mr Pence’s previous stance on gay rights.

In a break with tradition, media were not invited to witness public remarks delivered by the two men.

Mr Pence said it was an “honour” to host the Taoiseach. “This is a great moment for us, and a very special moment.”