Transcript of an intTranscript of an interview with Mitchel McLaughlin, chairperson of Sinn Fein, by John Humphrys for BBC On the Record on 6 February 2000. One month earlier the IRA issued a statement declaring that the decommissioning of their arsenal would be dependent on reductions in the British military presence in Northern Ireland. Amid suggestions from David Trimble that he would resign over the lack of progress, McLaughlin sets out Sinn Féin's position on the decommissioning issue. Five days later Peter Mandelson, then British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, suspended devolved government. On the Record was BBC's flagship political programme.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 6 February 2000
Name of First Interviewee: Mitchel McLaughlin
Role at time of Interview: Chairperson of Sinn Féin
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: 1998 - 2000
Key Individuals: Mitchel McLaughlin, George Mitchell, Peter Mandelson
Key Words: Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement, IRA, Sinn Féin, UUP, decommissioning