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Death of Martin McGuinness: reaction and tributes – politics live Death of Martin McGuinness: reaction and tributes – politics live
(35 minutes later)
9.14am GMT
09:14
Lord Tebbit, the former Conservative party chairman whose wife Margaret was paralysed when the IRA bombed the Grand Hotel in Brighton during the Conservative party conference, and who was injured himself by the attack, has welcomed McGuinness’s death. He told the Press Association:
I’m just pleased that the world is a sweeter and cleaner place now.
He was not only a multi-murderer, he was a coward.
He knew that the IRA were defeated because British intelligence had penetrated right the way up to the army council and that the end was coming.
He then sought to save his own skin and he knew that it was likely he would be charged before long with several murders which he had personally committed and he decided that the only thing to do was to opt for peace.
He claimed to be a Roman Catholic.
I hope that his beliefs turn out to be true and he’ll be parked in a particularly hot and unpleasant corner of hell for the rest of eternity.
Tebbit said he refused to forgive McGuinness for his terrorist past because “forgiveness requires confession of sins and repentance”.
“There was none of that,” Tebbit added.
9.08am GMT
09:08
Jeremy Corbyn has posted a tribute to Martin McGuinness on Twitter.
Martin McGuinness played a huge role in bringing about peace in Northern Ireland. He was a great family man and my thoughts are with them
9.05am GMT
09:05
John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editor, tweeted this about Martin McGuinness earlier.
#MartinMcGuinness made the extraordinary leap from hate & violence to reconciliation. He deserves our praise.
Simpson was a correspondent for the BBC in Belfast in the 1970s and he has just been talking about McGuinness on the Today programme. He recalled being followed by McGuinness at one point in a Republican area at a time when McGuinness was known as “the butcher of Bogside”. Simpson said he was “absolutely terrified”.
8.58am GMT
08:58
James Brokenshire, the Northern Ireland secretary, has offered his condolences to Martin McGuinness’s family. His full tribute is here, on the department’s website, and here is an extract.
Whilst passionate and robust in his politics, on a personal level I always found Martin to be thoughtful and reflective and appreciated the personal consideration he showed. The importance of family and his home in Derry shone through.
Martin will be remembered for his contribution to politics in Northern Ireland and particularly during his near ten years as deputy first minister.
8.53am GMT
08:53
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, has highlighted Martin McGuinness’s meeting with the Queen in his tribute to the former deputy first minister. Farron said:
Martin McGuinness, for all his past, became a statesman. One moment sticks with me, the remarkable – and unlikely – images of McGuinness’ when he shook the hand of the Queen on her visit to Belfast in 2012. This single picture epitomised the changes in Northern Ireland.
The historic handshake with the Queen in the quest for peace. This is something I, and millions of others, are thankful for. Peace in Northern Ireland is down, in part, to his leadership of the Republican community.
8.30am GMT8.30am GMT
08:3008:30
Enda Kenny's tributeEnda Kenny's tribute
The Irish taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has issued this tribute to Martin McGuinness.The Irish taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has issued this tribute to Martin McGuinness.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Martin McGuinness today. His passing represents a significant loss, not only to politics in Northern Ireland but to the wider political landscape on this island and beyond.I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Martin McGuinness today. His passing represents a significant loss, not only to politics in Northern Ireland but to the wider political landscape on this island and beyond.
Martin will always be remembered for the remarkable political journey that he undertook in his lifetime. Not only did Martin come to believe that peace must prevail, he committed himself to working tirelessly to that end.Martin will always be remembered for the remarkable political journey that he undertook in his lifetime. Not only did Martin come to believe that peace must prevail, he committed himself to working tirelessly to that end.
Martin was one of the chief architects of the Good Friday agreement and he worked resolutely in the years that followed it in pursuit of its full implementation. I got to know Martin well in recent years, including through our working together in the North South ministerial council. His commitment to securing enduring peace and prosperity for all of the people of Northern Ireland was unwavering throughout this time. He strove to make Northern Ireland a better place for everyone, regardless of background or tradition.Martin was one of the chief architects of the Good Friday agreement and he worked resolutely in the years that followed it in pursuit of its full implementation. I got to know Martin well in recent years, including through our working together in the North South ministerial council. His commitment to securing enduring peace and prosperity for all of the people of Northern Ireland was unwavering throughout this time. He strove to make Northern Ireland a better place for everyone, regardless of background or tradition.
Above all, today is an especially sad day for Martin’s family - his wife Bernie, and his children - and for the people of Derry, who held a special place in Martin’s heart.Above all, today is an especially sad day for Martin’s family - his wife Bernie, and his children - and for the people of Derry, who held a special place in Martin’s heart.
My deepest sympathies are with all of them at this sad and difficult time.My deepest sympathies are with all of them at this sad and difficult time.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.32am GMT at 8.53am GMT
8.26am GMT8.26am GMT
08:2608:26
Q: What would you say to those who argued that the Good Friday agreement showed violence worked?Q: What would you say to those who argued that the Good Friday agreement showed violence worked?
Blair does not accept this.Blair does not accept this.
Q: But they are in power.Q: But they are in power.
But not through violence, says Blair. He says Sinn Fein are in power because they committed to peace.But not through violence, says Blair. He says Sinn Fein are in power because they committed to peace.
He says he hopes McGuinness’s life will remind people how important it is to remain committed to peace.He says he hopes McGuinness’s life will remind people how important it is to remain committed to peace.
Q: The settlement is at risk.Q: The settlement is at risk.
Blair says the peace process is “fragile”. And it is at risk.Blair says the peace process is “fragile”. And it is at risk.
Q: It is extraordinary that a former prime minister is saying we can draw inspiration from the life of a terrorist.Q: It is extraordinary that a former prime minister is saying we can draw inspiration from the life of a terrorist.
It is, says Blair. But it shows that sometimes politics can work.It is, says Blair. But it shows that sometimes politics can work.
And that’s it. The Blair interview is over.And that’s it. The Blair interview is over.
8.23am GMT8.23am GMT
08:2308:23
Tony Blair's Today programme tributeTony Blair's Today programme tribute
Tony Blair is being interviewed on Today now about Martin McGuinness.Tony Blair is being interviewed on Today now about Martin McGuinness.
Q: When did you realise the IRA was willing to negotiate?Q: When did you realise the IRA was willing to negotiate?
Blair says the IRA ceasefire had broken down as Labour was coming into office in 1997.Blair says the IRA ceasefire had broken down as Labour was coming into office in 1997.
He says he met McGuinness then. McGuinness was clear that there was a stalemate, and that it was doing immense damage. He says McGuinness wanted to see if there was a way forward.He says he met McGuinness then. McGuinness was clear that there was a stalemate, and that it was doing immense damage. He says McGuinness wanted to see if there was a way forward.
John Humprhys is interviewing Blair. He was a correspondent in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and he says interviewing McGuinness then was frightening, because you could imagine him looking down the barrel of a gun.John Humprhys is interviewing Blair. He was a correspondent in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and he says interviewing McGuinness then was frightening, because you could imagine him looking down the barrel of a gun.
Blair says he can understand why people felt that. But he says the determination that McGuinness showed at that stage was also deployed when he committed himself to peace.Blair says he can understand why people felt that. But he says the determination that McGuinness showed at that stage was also deployed when he committed himself to peace.
He recalls his first proper meeting with McGuinness, in the cabinet room. McGuinness said this was where the damage was done. He explained that he meant the partition agreement, but Blair and his team thought they were talking about the IRA mortar attack.He recalls his first proper meeting with McGuinness, in the cabinet room. McGuinness said this was where the damage was done. He explained that he meant the partition agreement, but Blair and his team thought they were talking about the IRA mortar attack.
Blair says McGuinness thought pursuing peace was consistent with the motives behind the armed struggle. But he pursued it with courage, Blair says. He says if McGuinness had not been committed to the peace process, it would not have succeeded.Blair says McGuinness thought pursuing peace was consistent with the motives behind the armed struggle. But he pursued it with courage, Blair says. He says if McGuinness had not been committed to the peace process, it would not have succeeded.
Q: Did you for a moment think you should not have been speaking to him?Q: Did you for a moment think you should not have been speaking to him?
Blair says he never forgot the victims of terrorism. But, when he thought there was a possibility of peace, he was determined to pursue it.Blair says he never forgot the victims of terrorism. But, when he thought there was a possibility of peace, he was determined to pursue it.
He says without McGuinness they would never had got the Good Friday agreement. That was in 1998. But the peace was not fully agreed until just before he left office in 2007, when McGuinness formed a government with Ian Paisley.He says without McGuinness they would never had got the Good Friday agreement. That was in 1998. But the peace was not fully agreed until just before he left office in 2007, when McGuinness formed a government with Ian Paisley.
It was extraordinary, Blair says. If someone had said in 1997 that that would have happened, Blair says he would have thought they were completely mad.It was extraordinary, Blair says. If someone had said in 1997 that that would have happened, Blair says he would have thought they were completely mad.
UpdatedUpdated
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8.16am GMT8.16am GMT
08:1608:16
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Hello. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Matthew and Claire.Hello. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Matthew and Claire.
Gerry Kelly, a former IRA figure and a leading Sinn Féin politician, is on Today now, paying tribute to Martin McGuinness.Gerry Kelly, a former IRA figure and a leading Sinn Féin politician, is on Today now, paying tribute to Martin McGuinness.
He says he wants to explain what was happening when McGuinness was young. There was no democratic way forward for his community, Kelly says.He says he wants to explain what was happening when McGuinness was young. There was no democratic way forward for his community, Kelly says.
He says later it became clear that there was a military stalemate. There was always a belief that the conflict would have to end. McGuinness showed “massive leadership”, Kelly says.He says later it became clear that there was a military stalemate. There was always a belief that the conflict would have to end. McGuinness showed “massive leadership”, Kelly says.
He says, had he been born anywhere else, he would have been a huge figure, because he had that kind of intellect.He says, had he been born anywhere else, he would have been a huge figure, because he had that kind of intellect.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.34am GMTat 8.34am GMT
8.08am GMT8.08am GMT
08:0808:08
Theresa May's tributeTheresa May's tribute
The prime minister, Theresa May, has issued a statement saying that while she could “never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence”.The prime minister, Theresa May, has issued a statement saying that while she could “never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence”.
In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace. While we certainly didn’t always see eye-to-eye even in later years, as deputy first minister for nearly a decade he was one of the pioneers of implementing cross-community power-sharing in Northern Ireland. He understood both its fragility and its precious significance and played a vital part in helping to find a way through many difficult moments. At the heart of it all was his profound optimism for the future of Northern Ireland – and I believe we should all hold fast to that optimism today.In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace. While we certainly didn’t always see eye-to-eye even in later years, as deputy first minister for nearly a decade he was one of the pioneers of implementing cross-community power-sharing in Northern Ireland. He understood both its fragility and its precious significance and played a vital part in helping to find a way through many difficult moments. At the heart of it all was his profound optimism for the future of Northern Ireland – and I believe we should all hold fast to that optimism today.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.37am GMTat 8.37am GMT
8.06am GMT8.06am GMT
08:0608:06
Tony Blair's tributeTony Blair's tribute
The former prime minister Tony Blair, who worked with McGuinness on the peace process, said he was sorry to learn of his death.The former prime minister Tony Blair, who worked with McGuinness on the peace process, said he was sorry to learn of his death.
‎I grew up watching and hearing about the Martin McGuinness who was a leading member of the IRA engaged in armed struggle. I came to know the Martin McGuinness who set aside that armed struggle in favour of making peace. There will be some who cannot forget the bitter legacy of the war. And for those who lost loved ones in it that is completely understandable. But for those of us able finally to bring about the Northern Ireland peace agreement, we know we could never have done it without Martin’s leadership, courage and quiet insistence that the past should not define the future.‎I grew up watching and hearing about the Martin McGuinness who was a leading member of the IRA engaged in armed struggle. I came to know the Martin McGuinness who set aside that armed struggle in favour of making peace. There will be some who cannot forget the bitter legacy of the war. And for those who lost loved ones in it that is completely understandable. But for those of us able finally to bring about the Northern Ireland peace agreement, we know we could never have done it without Martin’s leadership, courage and quiet insistence that the past should not define the future.
After first meeting in Northern Ireland and then again shortly after in Downing Street ‎– an historic meeting, between a British PM and the republican leadership in the cabinet room where so much Irish history had been made – he explained at length to me the causes of republican grievance. I listened. We talked. And as the meeting went on he explained why he thought, despite all the grievance, there was a chance for peace.After first meeting in Northern Ireland and then again shortly after in Downing Street ‎– an historic meeting, between a British PM and the republican leadership in the cabinet room where so much Irish history had been made – he explained at length to me the causes of republican grievance. I listened. We talked. And as the meeting went on he explained why he thought, despite all the grievance, there was a chance for peace.
Over the years – through the arduous negotiation of the Good Friday agreement – and for the years after it, I got to know ‎Martin well. We met many, many times and as the trust grew between himself, my team, Gerry Adams and their team, so the discussions became increasingly open, frank and therefore productive.Over the years – through the arduous negotiation of the Good Friday agreement – and for the years after it, I got to know ‎Martin well. We met many, many times and as the trust grew between himself, my team, Gerry Adams and their team, so the discussions became increasingly open, frank and therefore productive.
By the time that extraordinary day arrived in 2007 after almost a decade of hard work where we could witness the – to my generation – incredible sight of he and Ian Paisley sitting down together in government, the transition of Martin to reconciliator was complete.By the time that extraordinary day arrived in 2007 after almost a decade of hard work where we could witness the – to my generation – incredible sight of he and Ian Paisley sitting down together in government, the transition of Martin to reconciliator was complete.
Whatever the past, the Martin I knew was a thoughtful, reflective and committed individual. Once he became the peacemaker he became it wholeheartedly and with no shortage of determined opposition to those who wanted to carry on the war.Whatever the past, the Martin I knew was a thoughtful, reflective and committed individual. Once he became the peacemaker he became it wholeheartedly and with no shortage of determined opposition to those who wanted to carry on the war.
I will remember him therefore with immense gratitude for the part he played in the peace process and with genuine affection for the man I came to know and admire for his contribution to peace.I will remember him therefore with immense gratitude for the part he played in the peace process and with genuine affection for the man I came to know and admire for his contribution to peace.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.37am GMTat 8.37am GMT
8.02am GMT8.02am GMT
08:0208:02
Here is a bit more from Colin Parry whose son Tim died in a IRA bomb in Warrington in 1993.Here is a bit more from Colin Parry whose son Tim died in a IRA bomb in Warrington in 1993.
“I don’t forgive the IRA, nor does my wife, nor do my children,” he told the BBC. “But, setting aside forgiveness, the simple fact is I found Martin McGuinness an easy and pleasant man to talk to – a man who I believe was sincere in his desire for peace, for maintaining the peace process at all costs.“I don’t forgive the IRA, nor does my wife, nor do my children,” he told the BBC. “But, setting aside forgiveness, the simple fact is I found Martin McGuinness an easy and pleasant man to talk to – a man who I believe was sincere in his desire for peace, for maintaining the peace process at all costs.
“And I think he deserves great credit for his most recent life rather than more than his earlier life, for which I don’t think anything in his most recent life can atone.“And I think he deserves great credit for his most recent life rather than more than his earlier life, for which I don’t think anything in his most recent life can atone.
That said, he was still a brave man, who put himself at some risk within some elements of his own community in Northern Ireland.”That said, he was still a brave man, who put himself at some risk within some elements of his own community in Northern Ireland.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.37am GMTat 8.37am GMT
7.50am GMT7.50am GMT
07:5007:50
Arlene Foster, the Democratic Unionist party leader and former Northern Ireland first minister, has expressed her “sincere condolences” at the death of Martin McGuinness.Arlene Foster, the Democratic Unionist party leader and former Northern Ireland first minister, has expressed her “sincere condolences” at the death of Martin McGuinness.
Today’s news will come as a shock to many people. First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss.Today’s news will come as a shock to many people. First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.38am GMTat 8.38am GMT
7.46am GMT7.46am GMT
07:4607:46
The former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain described McGuinness as a “pivotal figure” in the peace process.The former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain described McGuinness as a “pivotal figure” in the peace process.
Condolences to @M_McGuinness_SF family such a pivotal essential figure in Northern Ireland peace processCondolences to @M_McGuinness_SF family such a pivotal essential figure in Northern Ireland peace process
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.38am GMTat 8.38am GMT
7.42am GMT7.42am GMT
07:4207:42
The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent Henry McDonald has more reaction from the outgoing Ulster Unionist leader, Mike Nesbitt, who said this would be a “challenging day for victims of the Troubles”.The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent Henry McDonald has more reaction from the outgoing Ulster Unionist leader, Mike Nesbitt, who said this would be a “challenging day for victims of the Troubles”.
I believe no one needed to die to get Northern Ireland to where it is today. Clearly Martin McGuinness very actively disagreed with that analysis, but I also accept in his later years he was on a journey to create change through politics, becoming a pivotal figure at Stormont.I believe no one needed to die to get Northern Ireland to where it is today. Clearly Martin McGuinness very actively disagreed with that analysis, but I also accept in his later years he was on a journey to create change through politics, becoming a pivotal figure at Stormont.
It would be less than honest if I said other than that I found him a straight-dealing politician in any engagement I had with him.It would be less than honest if I said other than that I found him a straight-dealing politician in any engagement I had with him.
History will reflect a complex life story.History will reflect a complex life story.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.38am GMTat 8.38am GMT