Conor McGregor, the Irish mixed martial arts fighter who lost a civil trial for rape, took over the White House lectern to launch a political speech on St Patrick’s Day.

On a tour of the White House press room on Monday before meeting Donald Trump, McGregor stepped on stage unexpectedly and told reporters illegal immigration was destroying Ireland.

“Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness,” McGregor said from the press room podium, while wearing a green suit, waistcoat and tie.

Micheál Martin, Ireland’s taoiseach, responded on X: “Conor McGregor’s remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland.”

McGregor had “no mandate” to speak for the Irish people, Simon Harris, Ireland’s deputy prime minister warned.

Mr Trump had suggested that McGregor was his favourite Irish person during an Oval Office press conference with Mr Martin last Wednesday.