A letter from the civil rights activist, Mr Eamonn McCann, to the Unionist mayor of Derry resulted in a major Stormont investigation into the personnel of the Northern civil rights movement, according to cabinet files just released in Belfast.
In January 1965 Mr McCann wrote to the mayor on behalf of the Belfast based "Working Committee on Civil Rights in Northern Ireland". He stated that the committee was investigating allegations of religious discrimination in Derry.
The letter was forwarded by the city's MP and Unionist attorney general, Mr E.W. Jones, QC to the Stormont cabinet secretary, Mr Howard on November 23rd, 1966. Mr Black suggested having the committee investigated by the RUC.
In his report of December 15th, 1966, the inspector general of the RUC observed: "This committee was formed in Belfast in February 1964 with the object of carrying out an independent investigation into alleged discrimination in Northern Ireland. This investigation has no official standing and was not believed to have been sponsored by any organised body."
Of Mr McCann, Sir Albert Kennedy wrote: "He entered Queen's University in October 1962 to study for an Arts degree. He took part in the activities of various student organisations and was regarded as a bitter Nationalist who had little respect for the Northern Ireland government."