Extract from a report written by John Holmes to Tony Blair, Friday 10 April 1998

Transcript

The plenary itself was relatively devoid of drama. No-one pressed any amendments, though Adams insisted that a paper on Sinn Fein “Issues of Concern” be entered into the record. The vote was swift. All said yes except Adams, who said he was “very positive” about the text but would have to consult his Annual Conference first. Trimble said he would have to consult his Executive Committee and full Executive Council, but was voting yes anyway. And that was it. There was no applause when sufficient consensus was achieved – just a stunned silence.