Transcript of an interview with John Hume, leader of the SDLP, by John Humphrys for BBC On the Record on 5 December 1993. From March of that year John Hume and Gerry Adams held behind the scenes talks to try and pave the way for peace negotiations. These talks, which produced four joint statements between 1993 and 1994, prompted disapproval among many political parties in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, in November 1993 it was revealed that the British government had been secretly holding talks with the republican movement since February of that year. In this interview, Hume discusses his vision for peace in Northern Ireland. Ten days later the Downing Street Declaration was jointly issued by the British and Irish governments. Breakfast with Frost was a weekly current affairs programme on BBC.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 5 December 1993
Name of First Interviewee: John Hume
Role at time of Interview: Leader of the SDLP
Interviewer: John Humphrys
Purpose: News
Media: Transcript
Copyright: © BBC On the Record
Link: Read the transcript
Programme/Book/Article: BBC On the Record
Time Period covered: 1968-1993
Key Individuals: John Hume, Gerry Adams, John Major, James Molyneaux, Ian Paisley
Key Words: Hume-Adams talks, partition, SDLP, IRA, Sunningdale Agreement, Anglo-Irish Agreement