British diplomat spoke of ‘rough ride’ ahead after Haughey’s election as FF leader
British memo claimed there were ‘suspicions that at least two Deputies were bribed’ to vote for Haughey
Charles Haughey speaking to a press conference at Leinster House after his election as Fianna Fáil leader. Photograph: Peter Thursfield
The election of Charlie Haughey as leader of Fianna Fáil and taoiseach in 1979 prompted fears amongst British diplomats that they were in for a “rough ride” due to his republican sentiments, newly-declassified papers reveal.
Mr Haughey was seen as “no friend of Britain”, according to the ambassador to Ireland at the time Robin Haydon, who said that “undesirable” characters from his past emerged following the election, and compared the new leader to former US president Richard Nixon due to the number of public relations men in his immediate circle.