In his latest book, Operation Chiffon, journalist and author Peter Taylor delves into one of the most intriguing and lesser-known aspects of the Troubles in Northern Ireland – the secret negotiations between the British government and the Provisional IRA in the 1970s. Taylor’s book offers a fascinating insight into the world of backroom diplomacy and covert talks, revealing how key figures on both sides of the conflict used their powers of persuasion to negotiate a way out of the violence and bloodshed that had gripped Northern Ireland for decades. With meticulous research and in-depth interviews with the key players, Operation Chiffon is a gripping and insightful read that sheds new light on a much-debated chapter in British and Irish history.
In late November 1993, the British newspaper, the Observer, published a front-page story that shook the political landscape of the United Kingdom, Ireland, and beyond. The headline read, “Major’s secret links with IRA leadership revealed,” detailing how the British government had been engaging in covert back-channel communications with senior republicans, with the approval of Prime Minister John Major. This astonishing revelation was met with disbelief and uproar, for just a few weeks earlier, Major had publicly declared his refusal to talk to the organization.
The author and documentary-maker, Peter Taylor, explores and expands on this historical moment in his compelling account, Operation Chiffon. Not only does he reveal that these talks had been ongoing for decades, but he also highlights the key players that enabled these back-channel conversations to take place. Throughout the book, Taylor depicts the extraordinary risks that go-betweens took, often redoubling their efforts to achieve peace through dialogue at the most unspeakable moments of violence.
Although these talks were often at an impasse, with the British government demanding an end to violence and the IRA insisting that their bullets and bombs were a non-negotiable bargaining tool, they were still willing to engage in dialogue. The most senior civil servant at the Northern Ireland Office would reach out to a single MI6 officer, and sometimes an MI5 officer, who would speak with Brendan Duddy, a businessman who had a direct line to Martin McGuinness. This route provided the most promising and straightforward communication path, with Duddy risking his life by being a mediator in these talks.
However, Taylor also highlights the potential issues with this method of communication. McGuinness, who had to ensure the approval of the IRA’s decision-making body, the army council, at times appeared to speak with some level of uncertainty. Additionally, Brendan Duddy was prone to exaggeration, leading to misunderstandings that could further hinder these talks’ progress.
Despite these issues and ambiguities, the British government continued to employ vague language, using ambiguous phrases to encourage the IRA to believe that their aspirations of a united Ireland could be within reach through non-violent means. At times, this eagerness led intelligence officers to break the rules, and they would engage in face-to-face meetings. In 1991, MI6 officer Michael Oatley had an unauthorized meeting with McGuinness, and in 1993, his successor, an MI5 officer identified as “Robert” met with McGuinness, resulting in accusations of duplicity and dishonesty from Sinn Féin, the IRA’s political wing.
However, this unprecedented willingness to engage in back-channel communications finally paid off when McGuinness contacted Robert through Duddy in the historic message, “The conflict is over, but we need your advice on how to bring it to a close.” This message led to the first formal meeting between British officials and Sinn Féin, which eventually paved the way for the Good Friday Agreement.
Operation Chiffon is a thoroughly researched and captivating book that provides readers with a broader picture of the conflict that claimed over 3,700 lives. Taylor shows how Duddy, the undoubted hero of this story, faced numerous interrogations and risks to try and end the violence. The book also highlights how Mayhew’s statement in Parliament, revealing the back-channel communications, was met with a surprisingly positive response from MPs, suggesting that political and public opinion was ready for peace talks.
In conclusion, Operation Chiffon is not just a fascinating read but also a significant contribution to the historical account of the Northern Irish conflict. Taylor’s retelling of the back-channel communications is a reminder that dialogue and compromise are possible and necessary to achieve peace, even in the most contentious of conflicts. The book is published by Bloomsbury and is available for purchase from the Guardian bookshop.
