UK (Parliament Politics Magazine)- Tony Blair proposed that Northern Irish nationalists might support England after Ireland’s World Cup exit, but the suggestion was not accepted, new documents reveal.
The Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup campaign was fraught with drama, as captain Roy Keane left the squad just nine days before their first opening match following a public clash with manager Mick McCarthy.
After two draws and a win against Saudi Arabia, Ireland made it through the group stages but was eliminated by Spain in a penalty shootout.
The day after Ireland’s exit, new files disclosed that Britain’s Prime Minister of that time, Tony Blair suggested Irish nationalists might now back England, though the idea was not well received.
As reported by The Guardian, newly released documents from the Irish National Archives reveal that former UK prime minister Tony Blair, met with SDLP head Mark Durkan and Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid to debate law enforcement and criminal justice reform.
The document revealed that upon entering, Blair reportedly expressed sympathy for Ireland’s defeat and suggested the SDLP might now support England.
According to the footnote,
“Blair was a bit crestfallen to hear Durkan express himself in a very non-committal manner on the matter of England’s likely fortunes.”
The new file reports that England was knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals five days later on June 21, ending any possible support.
The briefing document suggests the meeting began poorly, with Blair looking exhausted, as reported by SDLP members.
The report reveals that Blair was distracted by the Black Rod affair, a controversy that saw the New Labour government in dispute with the right-wing press over claims to raise the prime minister’s visibility during the Queen Mother’s funeral.
The briefing note states that Blair showed minor interest in talking about Northern Ireland, often passing questions to Reid, who was labelled as “convivial and charming in a slightly desperate kind of way.”
The released papers highlight another challenging situation for Tony Blair.
Tony Blair told Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in early 2002, that he was “stunned” by the strong backlash against Sinn Féin MPs being granted offices in Westminster, who refuse to take seats in Westminster, being offered offices there.
Officials raised concerns that using the World Cup to promote Ireland might backfire if there were any issues with Irish fans.
The Irish Times reported that the government decided not to use the World Cup to promote Ireland because Americans weren’t interested in football and it wouldn’t get much TV coverage.
MPs who refused to affirm loyalty to the British monarch had been banned in the Commons or to use Westminster offices. A vote in December lifted this ban, leading to complaints from Conservatives and Unionists over security concerns.
According to the Irish meeting notes, the prime minister acknowledged his naivety, and stated,
“Sinn Féin in return must acknowledge that they had some sense of responsibility. There is a feeling that after their electoral successes, they need to play by ‘our rules’.”