Mo Mowlam, sanctioned bugging of Sinn Féin car
Sinn Féin today accused the intelligence community of trying to sabotage the Northern Ireland peace process, following an admission from Dr Mo Mowlam that she sanctioned the bugging of a car used by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. Following Dr Mowlam's disclosure, a Sinn Fein spokesman said the decision was taken as part of a "securocrat agenda which is still intent on subverting the peace process". The Cabinet Office Minister told a BBC programme, to be screened on Monday night, that she approved the bugging of the Ford Mondeo car used by the Sinn Féin leaders, during last year's talks to resolve the decommissioning and devolution dispute.
The sophisticated surveillance device was discovered by Sinn Féin and displayed at a Stormont press conference in December, just days after the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive. The incident was described by Mr Adams as a hugely serious breach of faith, which could have damaged the peace process. It was also condemned by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon.
Northern Ireland Office officials at the time refused to confirm military intelligence involvement in the incident. However, Dr Mowlam told British television that the car was bugged in order to save lives, with the driver believed to have been the target of the security forces' operation. A Sinn Féin spokesman today described Ms Mowlam's admission as disappointing, but not surprising.
