Defending British interests | The battle for hearts and minds of Unionism | An evening with Jim Fitzpatrick

Léargas: A Podcast by Gerry Adams · Nov 13, 2025 · 15m

Defending British interests

Hilary Benn is the 25th British Secretary of State since the Conservative government of Ted Heath scrapped the Stormont Parliament in 1972. Whitelaw was the first. I met him during the London talks in July that year. There was then a gap of 23 years before I met another British Secretary of State, Patrick Mayhew. I have met most of the rest since then.

The 25 were a mixed bunch both in ability and in temperament. Most we had never heard of before they were given the job. Many we never heard of again after they left here. A few were friendly. Some, like Roy Mason…