Description
The Northern Ireland Office [NIO] was a product of the Troubles. Established in the early 1970s, it played a wide range of roles during the conflict. From being regarded as ultra-unionist and side-lined out of the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, to Mo Mowlam crediting Sir Quentin Thomas (NIO Political Director 1991-8) as being the architect of the Good Friday Agreement on the British side. This paper will aim to answer why was this? Was there a shift in attitudes within the NIO during the 1980s and 1990s? If so, why was there a shift? Was this shift deliberate? What impact did this shift have on the Northern Ireland peace process? These questions are important as the Good Friday Agreement is used internationally as a case study for a successful peace process, therefore it is integral that we have understanding of all the actors’ roles, for the right lessons to be taught globally.
