Major missed our only gold medal... for love of cricket
Documents from 1995 reveal worries that Prime Minister would have to hide to avoid Sinn Fein leader
JOHN MAJOR missed the chance to see Britain’s only gold medal of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta – because he preferred to watch cricket at Lord’s instead, official records show.
Aides to the Prime Minister tried to persuade him to cross the Atlantic and attend the Games, showering him with praise about his “street cred”.
A provisional itinerary included taking in the final of the coxless pairs’ rowing, featuring Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave, which brought Britain’s only gold medal at the Games.
But Mr Major pulled out, amid aides’ concerns he would rather be at the cricket.
A letter from Downing Street private secretary Rachael Reynolds in February 1996 said Mr Major “agreed in principle” but by June appeared to have had a change of heart.
In a direct plea, Ms Reynolds wrote: “I understand you are thinking of staying for the Test in preference to going to the Olympics.
“While having to declare a certain personal interest here, I do think it would be a pity if you were to give up going entirely. And people do like to see you at sporting things.”
FEARS THAT Prime Minister John Major would be involved in an “undignified hiding-behind-potted-plants scenario” to avoid meeting Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in 1995 have been revealed in records made available to the public for the first time.
Aides were worried a possible meeting could take place during US President Bill Clinton’s visit to London and Belfast.
The Prime Minister and the Sinn Fein leader had travelled separately to Washington earlier in the year.
Mr Clinton’s intervention in granting a visa to Mr Adams for his US visit – though the pair did not meet at the White House – was credited with aiding the IRA ceasefire which later led to the Good Friday agreement.
Mr Major, who was in Downing Street when the republican terror group attacked it with mortars in 1991, was against the visa being granted.
Documents released by the National Archives at Kew showed Stormont aide Robert Crawford was cautious about Mr Clinton’s visit.
In a memo to Mr Major’s private secretary Edward Oakden, about a reception for Mr Clinton, Mr Crawford said: “Sinn Fein (probably Gerry Adams and others) will almost certainly be invited to the reception.
“We cannot see a way of the Prime Minister avoiding Gerry Adams without reverting to the undignified hiding-behind-the-potted plants scenario, which creates almost as valuable a news story as the first handshake.”
He also cautioned of the “real risk of political damage” if Mr Major was “too closely associated with this part” of Mr Clinton’s visit.
“The unionist community still mistrusts the President, and the nationalist community (particularly Sinn Fein) will be ready to make capital of perceived slights,” he added.
Mr Major told staff he was keen to accompany Mr Clinton on his visit, but appreciated the need to “avoid a handshake with Adams – and at the same time not look as if we were trying to avoid this,” Mr Oakden wrote.
But on the eve of the visit, the Prime Minister had decided against travelling to Belfast on the final leg of Mr Clinton’s UK tour.
Previously classified documents outlined Mr Major’s plans to host a black tie dinner for the President and his wife, Hillary, in London, at which politicians from across Parliament were invited.
There was one omission, though.
“Expect carry (sic) remarks if you don’t ask (Labour leader Tony) Blair,” the mystery Downing Street scribe stated, “but can perhaps do without (Lib Dem leader Paddy) Ashdown after his recent behaviour.”
No further explanation was offered.
The records also showed aides tried to save Mr Major embarrassment during a charity fundraiser.
Private Secretary Rachael Reynolds warned the Institute of Directors’ Midland Branch that the Prime Minister would not be able to participate in the charity draw at their New Year luncheon, as it would likely involve coming into contact with defaced £5 notes.
Miss Reynolds was concerned when she was told that entrants would sign one or multiple bank notes, one of which would be selected from a hat – ideally by the Prime Minister – to receive a pair of tickets to New York.
But Mr Miller was left in no doubt about Mr Major’s inability
to be associated with the draw in that way. Miss Reynolds wrote: “I trust you are aware that defacing currency is an offence!”
Meanwhile, a proposal to use Dublin Castle as a venue for conferences and European Council meetings was deemed “totally impracticable” by Irish government officials. A UK government department was told security problems associated with the venue could not be over-emphasised.
We cannot see a way of the Prime Minister avoiding Gerry Adams.
Stormont aide Robert Crawford