Civil rights movement 1968-69 - Cameron Report

Cameron Report

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 5th 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.

Enquiry to be established

This film shows members of the Government of Northern Ireland leaving Stormont after a meeting to establish a commission of enquiry into the causes of civil rights agitation in recent months.

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.

Cameron sittings to be held in private

Lord Cameron explains why the sittings of the commission of enquiry will be held in private.

Carmeron 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.

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.

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.

"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. Martin Wallace reports on the Northern Ireland Government's reaction.

Basic social deprivation the cause of unrest

Bernadette Devlin gives her reaction to the Cameron Report.

A sober and reasonable report

Brian Faulkner gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.

Under-researched and over-written

Eamonn McCann gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.

"We must have a new police force acceptable to all of the people"

Nationalist Party MP Eddie McAteer on the 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.

"By and large, I am very happy about the report"

Ivan Cooper gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.

"This report completely vindicates the civil rights movement"

John Hume gives his reaction to the 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.

"A highly dangerous and controversial document"

Ronald Bunting gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.

"The Cameron Report has been completely superseded by the events"

William Craig gives his reaction to the Cameron Report.

"Favourable with reservations"

Frank Gogarty of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) gives his reaction to the 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. The crowd chant for former Minister of Home Affairs, William Craig, who appears briefly on the balcony to wave.

Cameron debate continues at Stormont

Martin Wallace reports from Stormont on the Cameron Report debate, which has continued into a second day.