Mayhew 'offered to resign'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SIR PATRICK Mayhew, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, yesterday confirmed that he had offered John Major his resignation after errors were revealed in his account of his contacts with the IRA, writes David McKittrick.
He said Mr Major had considered his resignation was not required. The Government suffered the embarrassment of having to issue a list of 18 corrections to material it had placed in the House of Commons library after the errors were pointed out.
The corrections confirmed that documents issued by Sinn Fein had been accurate, while those published by the Government contained important textual inconsistencies. Sir Patrick said at the time that errors had arisen from publication of the wrong draft of one document, together with typing and transmission errors.
He said yesterday: 'It is right that I formally offered my resignation. The Prime Minister felt that while the errors were unfortunate, they were not a matter requiring ministerial resignation. The reason I did that is that I think it's rather a good doctrine that when things go seriously wrong the man at the top sincerely makes an offer to carry the can back for the damage . . . that's what I did.'
The episode was viewed in Northern Ireland as a blow to Sir Patrick's credibility.
Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein's president, said yesterday that people should be sceptical about what he described as a 'Salvage Mayhew' operation, and he accused Mr Major of authorising a cover-up.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments