DR. ROBERT IRWIN (Hansard, 19 March 1979)

§ Mr. Fitt

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the attempt to smear Dr. Robert Irwin by Goverment sources in Northern Ireland. I trust that I shall be able to abide by the limitations and strictures which you have applied to this request under Standing Order No. 9, Mr. Speaker. You will recall that on Friday last week I intervened on a point of order to draw the attention of the House to a report in The Daily Telegraph, which I referred to as a vicious smear on the character of Dr. Robert Irwin. I said then, and I repeat now, that Dr. Irwin had appeared on television and had given evidence to certain committees in Northern Ireland—to the effect that he had examined people whom he regarded as having suffered ill treatment at the hands of the police.

That television programme took place on the Sunday before last, and the following day a number of rumours began to circulate in Northern Ireland—rumours which, I contend, were calculated to do the maximum amount of damage to Dr. Robert Irwin.

On Friday there was only the one newspaper report in The Daily Telegraph. Since then I am quite certain that most hon. Members will have read the virtually unanimous condemnation that has taken place in all our national newspapers, in relation to this scurrilous and evil campaign that has been carried on against Dr. Irwin. We find that this campaign continues even in today's newspapers and that there has been no let-up. Besides drawing the attention of the world to the fact that Dr. Robert Irwin's wife had suffered a rape, the newspapers are now calling into question his professional qualifications, stating that he has been intimidated by the IRA in an absolutely disgraceful attempt to undermine his credibility.

I very briefly draw the attention of the House to one of our national newspapers, which stated that this whole campaign is deeply disturbing and that rape 1103 victims are very rarely identified in this country. It added: Whoever ordered the leak should be named, brought before an inquiry and made to explain why he did so. One of our most respected national newspapers, The Guardian, stated: Somebody started an ugly smear campaign against Dr. Irwin, to the distress of his wife, and this is a thoroughly evil aspect of the whole episode. The article went on to support the demand for a public inquiry.

Yesterday's Sunday Mirror named its own reporter, who stated that he had been approached with the intention of disseminating this evil propaganda. The Sunday Mirror went on to say: No doubt internal inquiries are necessary, but only an impartial investigation with the fullest possible powers can give a convincing answer to these shaming allegations. I believe that Dr. Irwin has suffered grievously because of this slanderous, vicious campaign. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order No. 9, to permit a debate in the House so that every aspect of this rumour and innuendo campaign can be examined. I believe that this has been orchestrated by Government sources in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Office and the RUG There is only one way that this matter can be cleared up. I hope Mr. Speaker, that you will permit a debate, with the resultant inquiry that will take place, and so clear the name of Dr. Irwin and condemn those who were responsible for initiating this campaign.