Video interview with Seamus Mallon, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, by Jon Snow for ITN on 2 February 2000. Two days earlier the second de Chastelain Report was published stating that no IRA decommissioning had yet taken place. The news came in a period of heightened political tension in which it was indicated that David Trimble could resign as First Minister of Northern Ireland on the decommissioning issue. Mallon discusses the conclusions of the de Chastelain Report and the potential collapse of power-sharing government. Nine days later Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, suspended devolved government and returned direct rule to Northern Ireland.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 2 February 2000
Name of First Interviewee: Seamus Mallon
Role at time of Interview: Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
Interviewer: Jon Snow
Purpose: News
Media: Audiovisual
Copyright: ©2013 ITN All rights reserved
Link: Watch the interview
Programme/Book/Article: ITN
Time Period covered: 1998-2000
Key Individuals: Seamus Mallon, David Trimble, George Mitchell, John de Chastelain, Peter Mandelson, Bertie Ahern
Key Words: SDLP, UUP, power-sharing, decommissioning, IRA, Trimble resignation, Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement, IICD