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Sinn Fein leader told Blair on his first day in office: I’m committed to peace

Sinn Fein leader told Blair on his first day in office: I’m committed to peace

The 1997 letters between Gerry Adams and British prime minister Tony Blair were revealed by the National Archives in Kew.

007 star agreed to help Blair with Scotland vote – provided it did not cost him

007 star agreed to help Blair with Scotland vote – provided it did not cost him

Sean Connery pledged to back Tony Blair’s 1997 devolution plan but was concerned about tax arrangement, files suggest.

Blair aides suspected Scotland could have its own referendum, documents suggest

Blair aides suspected Scotland could have its own referendum, documents suggest

Secret emails from Tony Blair’s early days in Government have been released by the National Archives in Kew.

Blair urged Mandela not to raise ‘sensitive subject’ of Lockerbie at 1997 summit

Blair urged Mandela not to raise ‘sensitive subject’ of Lockerbie at 1997 summit

The new prime minister’s efforts at stopping his South African counterpart from speaking about the 1988 disaster at a leaders’ meeting were in vain.

Blair aides wanted Gordon Brown’s spin doctor ‘out on his ear’

Blair aides wanted Gordon Brown’s spin doctor ‘out on his ear’

Files released by the National Archives highlight the tensions at the top of the New Labour government.

Tony Blair’s celebrated Irish Famine message ‘was ghost-written by aides’

Tony Blair’s celebrated Irish Famine message ‘was ghost-written by aides’

The 1997 speech, marking the 150th anniversary of the peak of the humanitarian disaster, did not have input from the new PM, files show.

Thames Barrier could be closed to allow pageants, Blair told

Thames Barrier could be closed to allow pageants, Blair told

The proposals were disclosed as part of the latest tranche of files released by the National Archives at Kew.

Doomed Dome could have been homage to Diana, classified files reveal

Doomed Dome could have been homage to Diana, classified files reveal

The London landmark, which failed before being revived as The 02, was once suggested as a possible tribute to the late princess.

Former Tory minister warned over asylum seekers ‘human tide’ remarks

Former Tory minister warned over asylum seekers ‘human tide’ remarks

The letters between the two, in October 1997, were released by the National Archives, Kew.

Australia orders deportation of Katie Hopkins for flouting quarantine rules

Australia orders deportation of Katie Hopkins for flouting quarantine rules

The far-right commentator was Down Under to appear on a reality TV programme.

Katie Hopkins to be deported from Australia for flouting quarantine rules

Katie Hopkins to be deported from Australia for flouting quarantine rules

The far-right commentator was Down Under to appear on a reality TV programme.

Lack of single-use plastics ban in England a ‘dereliction of Brexit promise’

Lack of single-use plastics ban in England a ‘dereliction of Brexit promise’

EU member states are outlawing the use of plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene food containers but the UK Government is not following suit.

Tommy Robinson to find out whether Syrian teenager has won libel claim

Tommy Robinson to find out whether Syrian teenager has won libel claim

The English Defence League founder was sued for libel by Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian schoolboy who was filmed being attacked at school in 2018.

More subpostmasters in bid to clear names at Court of Appeal

More subpostmasters in bid to clear names at Court of Appeal

In April, 39 former subpostmasters who were convicted and even jailed for theft, fraud and false accounting had their names cleared.

Charles and Camilla to visit Exeter as coronavirus restrictions lifted

Charles and Camilla to visit Exeter as coronavirus restrictions lifted

For the first time since March 2020, the two-metre rule is no longer being enforced.

Nightclubs open their doors at midnight as excited dancers return

Nightclubs open their doors at midnight as excited dancers return

England’s remaining coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Monday, allowing hospitality venues such as nightclubs to finally welcome back patrons.

What the papers say – July 19

What the papers say – July 19

The Monday papers splash on the Prime Minister’s enforced self-isolation due to his potential exposure to Covid-19.

Scotland set to move to Level 0 from Monday

Scotland set to move to Level 0 from Monday

As Scotland moves to a lower level of restrictions, England will see most legal restrictions removed on Monday.

Johnson urges caution over lockdown ending as he is forced into isolation

Johnson urges caution over lockdown ending as he is forced into isolation

The PM is forced to spend so-called ‘freedom day’ in England self-isolating at Chequers after being ‘pinged’ by Test and Trace.

What Covid rules are changing on ‘freedom day’ in England?

What Covid rules are changing on ‘freedom day’ in England?

The PA news agency looks at how life will be different.

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