On This Day / November 6, 1971

Summary: On This Day – 6th November 1971, speculation mounted over direct rule from Westminster as Brian Faulkner resisted changes to Stormont’s powers, while a Belfast pub bombing killed two people. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.

Heath May Take Over | On This Day – 6th November 1971

AN IMPORTANT announcement on the NI situation is expected at Westminster next week following the publication of the Compton Report [into the alleged mistreatment of internees].

Political observers were last night speculating on its possible content in the light of a statement at Stormont yesterday by Mr Brian Faulkner, the Prime Minister, who rejected the idea of control of law and order being transferred to Westminster and added:

‘We will be better by far to have direct rule openly and honestly rather than some sort of face-saving sham’.

In the House of Lords, Lord Carrington [Defence Secretary] said military measures could do no more than contribute towards establishing the necessary conditions for peace and a peaceful solution to the problems of NI.:

‘I do not know how long it will take finally to finish the emergency. In the process it will almost certainly be that we shall see much more bloodshed and even an extension of it to [GB].’

Reports that the British Government is thinking of appointing a Secretary of State to take over political and military operations in the North were unconfirmed in Whitehall last night.

Many leading figures in the Tory Party are now disillusioned about the prospect of getting anywhere in NI with the present policies and agree that radical changes are needed immediately.

Two Die in Ormeau Pub Blast

AN ELDERLY man and a middle- aged woman were killed in a fifty-pound gelignite explosion at a Belfast public house.

Thirty-six others, including customers in the bar and passengers on a passing bus, were injured by the blast.

Bombs were planted in the bar and in a drapery shop between which Ballynafeigh Police Station is sandwiched.

Customers in the Red Lion pub were given ten minutes to get out after gunmen held up the bar and one of them planted the bomb. The device exploded before they could get clear.

Meanwhile a border hotel in Belleek, County Fermanagh and the Black Mountain Bar at Hannahstown on the outskirts of Belfast were badly damaged by explosions late last night as the bombing campaign continued.

It was claimed at Stormont yesterday that an attempt had been made to kidnap the Speaker of Stormont, Mr Ivan Neill at his Rostrevor home.

(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: THIS report carried the strongest hint yet that major constitutional change in the north was imminent.

From this moment Downing Street sources were briefing about the likely abolition of the old unionist-dominated Stormont parliament and the introduction of direct rule from London.

For nationalists and the IRA this would be seen as a victory but for unionism, its impact would be traumatic.)

On This Day – 6th November 1971

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