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| Thatcher gave way on dropping powers to detain terrorists, files show Thatcher gave way on dropping powers to detain terrorists, files show | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Margaret Thatcher failed to overrule her Northern Ireland and defence secretaries when they proposed dropping emergency powers to detain terrorist suspects without trial. | Margaret Thatcher failed to overrule her Northern Ireland and defence secretaries when they proposed dropping emergency powers to detain terrorist suspects without trial. |
| The dispute over how to balance human rights against security precautions erupted in June 1980 almost five years after the ending of internment. | The dispute over how to balance human rights against security precautions erupted in June 1980 almost five years after the ending of internment. |
| A secret prime ministerial file released to the National Archives in Kew on Friday shows that Humphrey Atkins, the Northern Ireland secretary, informed Downing Street that section 12 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 should be allowed to lapse. | A secret prime ministerial file released to the National Archives in Kew on Friday shows that Humphrey Atkins, the Northern Ireland secretary, informed Downing Street that section 12 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 should be allowed to lapse. |
| “The powers constitute, individually and collectively, a substantial derogation from the ordinary rule of law and the onus is on me to satisfy parliament that each of them continues to be needed,” Atkins informed her. | “The powers constitute, individually and collectively, a substantial derogation from the ordinary rule of law and the onus is on me to satisfy parliament that each of them continues to be needed,” Atkins informed her. |
| “I have reached the conclusion that I should not seek the renewal of section 12 ... which contains the power to detain terrorists without trial. [It] has not been used since 1975. | “I have reached the conclusion that I should not seek the renewal of section 12 ... which contains the power to detain terrorists without trial. [It] has not been used since 1975. |
| “The symbolic value of non-renewal will be especially strong in the minority [republican/nationalist] community, to whom the power of detention has always been a particular irritant.” | “The symbolic value of non-renewal will be especially strong in the minority [republican/nationalist] community, to whom the power of detention has always been a particular irritant.” |
| Both police and the general officer commanding, the senior army officer in the province, agreed with Atkins’s assessment. The chief constable said it was a “matter of fine judgment”. On the memo, Thatcher wrote in felt tip pen: “It will be seen as a sign of weakness if it lapses now.” | Both police and the general officer commanding, the senior army officer in the province, agreed with Atkins’s assessment. The chief constable said it was a “matter of fine judgment”. On the memo, Thatcher wrote in felt tip pen: “It will be seen as a sign of weakness if it lapses now.” |
| Atkins stood his ground and secured the support of the defence secretary, Francis Pym. “Should a seriously deteriorating security situation point to a need to use the power,” Atkins argued, “it could be renewed.” | Atkins stood his ground and secured the support of the defence secretary, Francis Pym. “Should a seriously deteriorating security situation point to a need to use the power,” Atkins argued, “it could be renewed.” |
| Thatcher gave way. In a comment on a later letter from Atkins, the prime minister noted: “I still think it is unwise but S of S [secretary of state] must follow his own decision and stand to it.” | Thatcher gave way. In a comment on a later letter from Atkins, the prime minister noted: “I still think it is unwise but S of S [secretary of state] must follow his own decision and stand to it.” |