The Pat Finucane Centre is claiming victory in its campaign against former Northern Ireland Office Minister John Spellar after he left the Government:
NIO Junior Government Minister John Spellar MP will not be returning to these shores in the wake of the post-election cabinet reshuffle. His appointment caused great anger and resentment because of his direct role in allowing the two soldiers convicted of the murder of Peter Mc Bride to remain the British Army.
SpellarWatch was our attempt to monitor his movements and protest at any public event that we had advance notice of. This proved remarkably successful given that he didn’t show his face in the north-west for almost a year before his departure.
Hours after the new Secretary of State Peter Hain was appointed we faxed his office and suggested that Anglo-Irish relations might benefit greatly if Spellar stayed in Britain. Others also lobbied for his replacement. We are happy to report that SpellarWatch is no longer necessary.
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