A letter from Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Féin, to Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (a UK government minister) Catalogue reference: CJ4/12383
Transcript
Sinn Féin Ard Oifig
6 June 1996
Sir Patrick Mayhew
Secretary of State
Northern Ireland Office
Whitehall
London
I understand from the media that invitations have been sent to party leaders to nominate their negotiating teams. Sinn Fein have not received such an invitation. I want to protest in the strongest possible terms at your discriminatory approach. Those who vote for our party gave us a negotiating mandate which you should respect and accept. I am therefore sending you the names of our negotiating team.
GERRY ADAMS
MARTIN McGUINNESS
GERRY KELLY
LUCILITA BHREATNACH
PAT DOHERTY
ANNE (DODIE) McGUINNESS
Martin McGuinness is our chief negotiator and in my absence he will lead the Sinn Fein negotiating panel. Note also that Siobhan OHanlon has been appointed by us to head up our secretariat and she can be contacted in the usual manner.
Is mise
GERRY ADAMS
- What has Gerry Adams heard from the media?
- What was his reaction to hearing this news?
- Why does he feel Sinn Féin have a right to be involved?
- Thinking back to Source A, can you suggest any reasons for the UK government’s decision?