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Peace Process History

Interview with Humphrey Atkins in 1979

Published:

Audio interview with Humphrey Atkins, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in 1979. On 4 May Atkins was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In autumn of that year he published proposals for an end to direct rule and the restoration of government in Northern Ireland through a local body, inviting four political parties, the DUP, UUP, SDLP and Alliance Party, to discuss the proposal. In this interview Atkins outlines his proposals. Although the party talks did commence later that year they soon collapsed, the UUP and later the SDLP boycotting the conference.

Date of Release/Broadcast: 1979

Name of First Interviewee: Humphrey Atkins

Role at time of Interview: Secretary of State for Northern Ireland   

Purpose: News

Media: Audiovisual

Copyright:        

Link: Watch the interview

Programme/Book/Article: BBC Northern Ireland Stormont Today

Time Period covered: 1974-1979

Key Individuals: Humphrey Atkins

Key Words: British government, power-sharing, policing, Sinn Féin, UUP, DUP, SDLP, Alliance Party

 

 

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