On 15 January 1969, the Government of Northern Ireland announced the establishment of a commission:
“to hold an enquiry into and to report upon the course of events leading to, and the immediate causes and nature of the violence and civil disturbance in Northern Ireland on and since 5 October 1968; and to assess the composition, conduct and aims of those bodies involved in the current agitation and in any incidents arising out of it.”
This became known as the Cameron Commission and consisted of Lord Cameron, Sir John Biggart, and James Campbell. By the time the report was published in September 1969, much had changed in Northern Ireland. Key events include the following: a Stormont election resulted in a split in the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). The Ulster Unionist Parliamentary Party voted for "one man, one vote". Terence O'Neill resigned as Prime Minister. Unity candidate Bernadette Devlin became the youngest woman ever to be elected to Westminster. A loyalist bombing campaign targeted electricity and water plants. Increased sectarian strife across Northern Ireland resulted in the "Battle of the Bogside", the deaths of six people in a Belfast riot and the deployment of British troops in Northern Ireland.
A commission is set up to investigate the violence and civil unrest that has been going on in Northern Ireland over the past months.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
Chief Whip Outlines Purpose of Commission
The Northern Ireland Chief Whip Roy Bradford talks to RTÉ reporter Ronnie Turner about the commission established by the Government to examine the causes of unrest in Northern Ireland.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Ronnie Turner (Reporter)
CAMERON REPORT
Cameron Sittings to be Held in Private
Lord Cameron explains why the sittings of the commission of enquiry will be held in private.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
Cameron Report Published
Following the publication of the Cameron Report on 12 September 1969, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland James Chichester-Clark, Minister of Development Brian Faulkner and Minister of Home Affairs Robert Porter answer questions from the media.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
Public Queue to Buy Cameron Report
Martin Wallace reports on the publication of the Cameron Report and the initial reaction from the Northern Ireland Government.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Martin Wallace (Reporter)
CAMERON REPORT
Robert Porter on Cameron Report
The Northern Ireland Minister for Home Affairs, Robert Porter, on what, if any, impact the Cameron Report will have on the police force and the Special Powers Act.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"A Devastating Indictment of Unionist Government"
RTÉ Radio gets reaction to the Cameron Report from William Craig, John Hume, Ronald Bunting, Bernadette Devlin, Eddie McAteer and Gerry Fitt.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
Basic Social Deprivation the Cause of Unrest
Bernadette Devlin gives her reaction to the Cameron Report. Devlin identifies basic social deprivation, lack of jobs and lack of housing as central to the unrest that took place 5 October.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"A Sober and Reasonable Report"
Brian Faulkner gives his reaction to the Cameron Report and says that the findings of the report justify the government's line.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"Under-Researched and Over-Written"
Eamonn McCann describes his disappointment with the report and describes it as "under-researched" and "over-written" and contains factual inaccuracies about the injury toll.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"We Must Have a New Police Force Acceptable to All of the People"
Nationalist Party MP Eddie McAteer on the Cameron Report.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"The Cameron Commission is Guilty of Deliberate Lying"
On his return from America, Ian Paisley talks to Eddie Barrett about the Cameron Report and his trip abroad.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Eddie Barrett (Reporter)
CAMERON REPORT
"By and Large, I am Very Happy about the Report"
Ivan Cooper gives his reaction to the Cameron Report. Cooper describes the findings of the report as "revealing".
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"This Report Completely Vindicates the Civil Rights Movement"
John Hume gives his reaction to the Cameron Report and points the finger at the unionist supporters as the cause of the trouble.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"The scapegoat has been selected as the People's Democracy"
Michael Farrell talks to Pat Sweeney about references to the People's Democracy in the Cameron Report.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Pat Sweeney (Reporter)
CAMERON REPORT
"A Highly Dangerous and Controversial Document"
Ronald Bunting gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"The Cameron Report has been Completely Superseded by the Events"
William Craig gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
"Favourable with Reservations"
Frank Gogarty of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
Thousands of Loyalists March on Stormont
As the parliament meets at Stormont to debate the Cameron Report, thousands of loyalists join Ian Paisley in a protest outside.
Production Year
1969
CAMERON REPORT
Cameron Debate Continues at Stormont
Martin Wallace reports from outside Stormont on the Cameron Report debate, which has continued into a second day.
