Mayhew's peace pledge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SIR PATRICK MAYHEW, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, yesterday firmly re-stated the Government's position that it would not negotiate, directly or indirectly, with Sinn Fein so long as it supported the use of violence.
He held out the prospect of a dramatic scaling down of security force activity, a relaxation of the emergency laws and new economic advances in Northern Ireland if peace could be achieved.
Speaking at the University of Ulster, Sir Patrick said the Government had no objection to a united Ireland, provided it was achieved by consent. He emphasised that the nationalist tradition was no less legitimate than Unionism, and he hoped political agreement could be reached.
The US is seeking to extradite from South Africa an Irishman wanted in connection with an alleged plot to supply the IRA with surface-to-air missiles for use against helicopters. Peter Eamonn Maguire, 56, is detained awaiting a hearing on 6 January.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments