Video interviews with Gerry Adams (president of Sinn Fein), Alex Maskey (Sinn Fein MLA for Belfast West), Michael McGimpsey (UUP MLA for Belfast South) and Jeffrey Donaldson (UUP MP for Lagan Valley), 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. Amid hurried talks to prevent the collapse of power-sharing government, the interviewees discuss the potential implications of this scenario. 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: Gerry Adams
Name of Second Interviewee: Alex Maskey
Name of Third Interviewee: Michael McGimpsey, Jeffrey Donaldson
Role at time of Interview: Gerry Adams (president of Sinn Fein), Alex Maskey (Sinn Fein MLA for Belfast West), Michael McGimpsey (UUP MLA for Belfast South), Jeffrey Donaldson (UUP MP for Lagan Valley)
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: Gerry Adams, Alex Maskey, Michael McGimpsey, Jeffrey Donaldson
Key Words: Sinn Fein, UUP, power-sharing, decommissioning, IRA, Trimble resignation, Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement, IICD