THE TROUBLES, IRA, SECRET PEACE TALKS & WHAT IS A TERRORIST ?? | Peter Taylor, “Operation Chiffon"

Peter Taylor has covered “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland since Bloody Sunday in 1972 and has written several books on the subject. His latest work is “Operation Chiffon” (link below) revels and details the back-channel communications that existed between the IRA and British intelligence and helped form a path towards eventual peace in Northern Ireland.
Peter and I spoke about the extent to which British Intel agencies operated in Northern Ireland and sometimes even the Republic, the recently deceased British spy within the IRA: StakeKnife and the investigation that just took place into British troubles-era handlers of informants.
We also discussed the elusive topic of how to actually define what a “terrorist” is, how they differ from freedom fighters if at all and the motivation for Peter's coverage of N.I.
Peter’s latest book : amzn.to/3oUZhpj
Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll: amzn.to/3NrqtFR
** TIMESTAMPS**
00:00 Intro
5:20 Ramping up of British intelligence agencies role in Northern Ireland
16:20 Why the meetings between IRA and British intel were kept a secret
20:50 STAKEKNIFE (IRA’s biggest rat)
32:20 Any possible repercussions for Troubles-Era British intel handlers ?
36:40 Operations that cross the R.O.I/ N.I border
37:45 Garda (Irish law enforcement) Special Branch
42:15 IRA attacks on UK mainland- effect on peace talks
48:45 WHAT IS A TERRORIST??
58:10 What drew Peter to covering “The Troubles”/Northern Ireland
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[@thegoodlistenerpodcast]

*** TIMESTAMPS*** 00:00 Intro 5:20 Ramping up of British intelligence agencies role in Northern Ireland 16:20 Why the meetings between IRA and British intel were kept a secret 20:50 STAKEKNIFE (IRA’s biggest rat) 32:20 Any possible repercussions for Troubles-Era British intel handlers ? 36:40 Operations that cross the R.O.I/ N.I border 37:45 Garda (Irish law enforcement) Special Branch 42:15 IRA attacks on UK mainland- effect on peace talks 48:45 WHAT IS A TERRORIST?? 58:10 What drew Peter to covering “The Troubles”/Northern Ireland

[@christopher9727]

... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@jamesobrien8362]

Peter Taylor is the best documentary maker on the war. Totally unbiased, iv wached them all

[@SweetDreams-wt7vo]

"Completes the trilogy and makes it a quartet!" The man has been amongst the Irish for so long he now speaks in Irishisms :- ) I love listening to Peter Taylor. At 57, I have been listening to him all my life. He follows the truth. Wonderful that you are interviewing him. Gerry Adams next or Tony Blair or John Major or George Mitchell. You are playing a blinder!

[@georgebrowne5935]

I have much respect for Mr. Taylor as an Honourable and honest reporter and human being.

[@Ifeeltheneedforspeed1]

He's a legend as a journalist in Northern Ireland

[@jackietreehorn5561]

​@@Ifeeltheneedforspeed1he done a great one about mi5 few years ago with the jihadis

[@christopher9727]

..... No hope in going to the past come to the loving savior today Seek his Holy Spirit in prayer today he can give you peace confort and guidance today Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@colintook3357]

Peter Taylor is the journalists journalist, his understanding and breach of coverage of the Northern Ireland situation is second to none. A brilliant man for whom I have immense respect.

[@Ifeeltheneedforspeed1]

Great channel. Peter Taylor is a legend in knowledge of the dirty war or troubles. He landed in Northern Ireland in the 70s.. Peter has meet both sides brave man. Great journalist. Great for you to get big names on your channel.

[@cannibalholocaust3015]

Peter Taylor is a scholar and a gentleman. Kudos on securing this interview, his three part series is a must see even for those us who grew up in the midst of it

[@derekrushton1705]

Peter Taylors documentaries about 'The Troubles' are second to none. His trilogy 'Provos: Sinn Fein & the IRA. Loyalists & Brits' were brilliant. His three part documentary in 2000 'Brits' covered 'The Dirty War'. Very objective imo. No axe to grind. Presents the facts from both sides. Read his last book 'Operation Chiffon'. Great read. Really enjoyed this interview. Great stuff.

[@jonnymclaughlin477]

From the mid to late 80s , both sides where wanting some sort of peace, but it's no surprise the hawks in the establishment and army didn't want it to stop, so armed the loyalists and the conflict continued until 94 .

[@gustavmarie]

The stuff about the Garda Special Branch is really interesting. Their role, as well as of that of Irish military intelligence (J2), during the Troubles seems quite under reported.

[@drinkingup2157]

Peter Taylor has been reporting and writing on The Troubles since 1969. He still has significant connections within all parties concerned who continue to treat him with trust and respect. Given the fact that he hasn't shied away from being very critical on all parties involved at times I think that speaks for the mans integrity and professionalism.

[@stephentaylor993]

That's a lie,he didn't start till bloody Sunday in 1972

[@gearoftones8585]

Peter Taylor is a Legend.

[@kevincallaghan3212]

Talor was the best ever to cover the north brill and very fair journlist to both sides

[@davidhunt6922]

Northern Ireland no such thing as the north

[@Waynebridgeof]

@@davidhunt6922 don’t be known as daft Davy ffs ther is only 32 counties and you live on one of them even less of a coincidence ther is only 4 provinces 🥴ulster Munster Leinster and Connaght you are a son of ulster like me and if you think otherwise you are sadly deluded by the British to them your as much Irish as me probably annoying for you when they say it because you believe your British but it annoys me to because I actually believe your British but they don’t want you but we do it’s a tough owl situation 😂 🇮🇪

[@edwardbrady5843]

​@@davidhunt6922The North of Ireland actually. 😊

[@davidhunt6922]

@@edwardbrady5843 northern Ireland proud part of the United Kingdom which the Republic signed up to in 1921

[@edwardbrady5843]

@@davidhunt6922 No the republicans didn't sign up to anything the Illegal sectarian stateless was imposed, its very important that you read up on our history, especially as you will be joining us soon.

[@smith5796]

Peter Taylor. ❤

[@melissabyrne8749]

Some great stuff on here thanks

[@joprocter4573]

There is no question killing ordinary people randomly is terrorism

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Who defines the term? And who gets to use it? The vietnamese seen the French and american army as terrorists and that's why their pows were not treated by the terms of the Geneva convention....in my opinion right....one example and still to this day kids are born deformed because of agent orange dropped on the civilian population

[@Paul-lm6xw]

1 million people dead in the Iraq war , terrorism or not .

[@2msvalkyrie529]

What about the RAF bombing of Hamburg / Dresden etc.? Thousands of civilians killed. I haven't always agreed with Gerry Adams but , during a TV interview once I recall him saying " It's completely pointless people on BOTH sides constantly saying : yeah, but what about when your lot did this etc...? " And he was dead right.! We are where we are and no amount of Moral philosophy debate gets us one step further.

[@gerardhenry5501]

Scap was not the only high value agent working for mi5 . Why did mi5 allow the police to reveal his prints were found on batteries in a de bugging device . I think this was them outing scap .

[@2msvalkyrie529]

He was outed and a year later he was still living at his old address in Belfast..?!?! That's even more of a mystery....

[@gerardhenry5501]

@@2msvalkyrie529 shame on the ira for allowing this

[@dominicseanmccann6300]

Top man & a decent human being. Not an 'erm' in earshot, either.

[@ronaldsmith3411]

Brilliant podcast 👏

[@melissabyrne8749]

Subbed

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Peter Taylor seems very vague about the Warrington bombing and how it came about.? It wasn't sanctioned by any of the individuals who British Intelligence were dealing with at the time. ! Certainly not by Martin McGuiness . For Peter to dismiss this as " that's just the way they operate. " is a very inadequate response to the interviewers question. Does he think Adams or McGuiness knew about Enniskillen ..?? We know that they didn't . As for " Scap " , he was not the sharpest knife in the drawer ( excuse pun ) and he knew even less about those operations . He knew the identities of several touts but that was about it. The notion that he was a source of earth shattering information about major IRA operations is moonshine. He was a grubby , not very bright and not even very useful pawn in the game . No doubt he thought his " handlers " were a bunch of eedjits ? And rightly so..! His handlers watched too many episodes of Tinker , Taylor...and deluded themselves into thinking they were dealing with moles, the Circus and Karla etc...

[@anthonymcgills7037]

duddy,s bars never got hit for under age drinkers.

[@NiallOReilly-us5ph]

Have you read Southside Provisional?

[@johnkennedy972]

Scap was lucky a was not on the army council a wouldn’t have had a problem with execution him no matter his position in the ira

[@ThePleasent1]

lol would Scap torture shoot himself in the head then dump his own body in south Armagh.

[@nealcorken]

Nice English 🇬🇧😛😳

[@michelob81]

Is there another version of this somewhere that doesn't look like it was posted using dial up modem?

[@douglastaggart9360]

I've always thought Peter Taylor had Republican sympathies especially as he keeps saying Derry not Londonderry.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Sure even the apprentice boys call it Derry lol

[@douglastaggart9360]

​@@jackietreehorn5561yes we do as I'm an apprentice boy but he's deliberately saying Derry but in conversation we say Londonderry

[@jackietreehorn5561]

​​@@douglastaggart9360I've always been confused about this....why do you call it Derry then and otherwise so ferociously Londonderry? Genuine question....think someone on you tube said to me before but went over my head....why not apprentice boys of ld?

[@Aindriuh]

It was called Derry for a very long time before some eejit put London at the front. It is nothing to do with Republicanism. It is the correct name for the City outside of the UK.

[@stephentaylor993]

He also said that,if,he'd been a,young person after bloody Sunday he would probably joined the ira