Video interviews with Gerry Adams (president of Sinn Fein), Tony Blair (prime minister of the United Kingdom), Reg Empey (Northern Ireland Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment) and Danny Morrison (former director of publicity for Sinn Fein), for ITN on 4 February 2000. Four 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. Seven days later Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, suspended devolved government and returned direct rule to Northern Ireland.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 4 February 2000
Name of First Interviewee: Gerry Adams
Name of Second Interviewee: Tony Blair
Name of Third Interviewee: Reg Empey, Danny Morrison
Role at time of Interview: Gerry Adams (president of Sinn Fein), Tony Blair (prime minister of the United Kingdom), Reg Empey (Northern Ireland Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment), Danny Morrison (former director of publicity for Sinn Fein)
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, Tony Blair, Reg Empey, Danny Morrison
Key Words: Power-sharing, decommissioning, IRA, Trimble resignation, Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement