Blair Approved Secret IRA Talks While Maintaining Public Denial

Declassified files reveal PM endorsed direct security force contact in 2001, despite Mandelson's caution

Newly declassified government files reveal that Tony Blair agreed to direct talks between the IRA and British security forces in 2001, while maintaining public deniability by presenting the discussions as meetings with Sinn Féin.

According to a Belfast Telegraph (27/3/25) report by Sam McBride, documents from the National Archives in Kew show that then-Prime Minister Blair was "in principle keen to draw in the IRA directly" and supported establishing a working group. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson — current Ambassador to the United States — advised caution, suggesting that while they would knowingly engage with the IRA, it should be presented publicly as dialogue with Sinn Féin representatives.

The revelations come from secret Downing Street files from early 2001, when the government was working to secure IRA decommissioning and Sinn Féin's support for the police.

The documents show that an "Implementation Group" was eventually established, with its first meeting held in October 2001. During this meeting, Martin McGuinness described it as "an important new format" to prevent misunderstandings.

The Northern Ireland Office has confirmed that this group no longer exists but declined to specify when it was dissolved.