1977 State Papers (page 1)

Paisley’s ‘1977 links to loyalists’ discussed

The view that Ian Paisley was “associated with paramilitaries” and that he might be arrested for conspiracy was discussed by senior Stormont officials in 1977.

The remarks about Mr Paisley, who is now first minister, emerge in the confidential minutes of a meeting between the permanent under-secretary of the NIO, Brian Cubbon, and permanent secretaries at Stormont during the United Ulster Action Council strike of May 1977.

At a meeting on May 10 1977 Mr Cubbon stressed the importance of learning the lessons of the strike. The minutes continue: “It was pointed out, however, that the person responsible [Mr Paisley] was associated with and had the support of the Protestant paramilitaries and it was queried whether he ought not to be held for conspiracy.”

The hope was expressed that when the strike ended there would be no question of a formula being devised “to allow Mr Paisley off the hook”.

It was suggested that the DUP leader had a marked facility for finding his own way out of situations but even if he were dislodged from his pinnacle, his followers would not be shaken and would continue to pursue his objectives.

For his part, Mr Cubbon thought that Mr Paisley’s judgment tended to be faulty on security issues. Officials also noted that public opinion favoured retaining extra British army units, drafted in during the loyalist strike, to deal with the IRA.