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Ian Reginald Edward Gow TD (11 February 1937 – 30 July 1990) was a British Conservative politician and a solicitor. While serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Eastbourne, he was assassinated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who exploded a bomb under his car at his home in Sussex.[1] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Eastbourne is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...
is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...
East Sussex is a county in South East England. ...
The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ...
A solicitor is a type of lawyer in many common law jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, but not the United States (in the United States the word has a quite different meaning—see below). ...
The Church of England logo since 1998 The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[1] in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ...
The Territorial Decoration (TD) was a United Kingdom military medal, also known as the Territorial Efficiency Decoration, which was given to officers for long service in the Territorial Army. ...
is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...
The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ...
A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ...
Eastbourne is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) (IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Army or the RA.[2]) is an Irish Republican, left wing[3] paramilitary organisation that, until the Belfast Agreement, sought to end Northern...
Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. ...
Early life
Ian Gow was the son of Alexander Edward Gow, a prominent London doctor attached to St Bartholomew's Hospital who died in 1952.[2] Ian Gow was educated at Winchester College, where he was president of the debating society. During a period of national service from 1955 to 1958 he was commissioned in the 15/19th Hussars and served in Ulster, Germany and Malaya. He served in the territorial army until 1976. The King Henry VIII Gate at Barts, which was constructed in 1702. ...
Winchester College is a well-known boys independent school, and an example of an English public school, in the city of Winchester in Hampshire, England. ...
The 19th Light Dragoons gained much of their fame in India, where they were given the ASSAYE badge, which had the likeness of an elephant upon it. ...
The Territorial Army (TA) is the principal reserve force of the British Army, the land armed forces of the United Kingdom, and composed mostly of part-time soldiers paid at the same rate, while engaged on military activities, as their Regular equivalents. ...
After completing national service he took up a career in the law and qualified as a solicitor in 1962. He eventually became a partner in the London practice of Joynson-Hicks and Co.[3]. He also became a Conservative Party activist. Although later identified with the right wing of the Party, he took a liberal position on some issues. For example, he visited Rhodesia at the time of UDI and was subsequently critical of that country's white minority regime. He stood for Parliament in the Clapham constituency, a Labour held London marginal seat, in the 1966 general election. An account in The Times of his candidature described him in the following terms : Southern Rhodesia, todays Zimbabwe. ...
The Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) of Rhodesia from the United Kingdom was signed on November 11, 1965 by the Smith administration, whose Rhodesian Front party[1] opposed black majority rule in the then British colony. ...
He is a bachelor solicitor aged 29 wearing his public school manner as prominently as his rosette. Words such as "overpowering", "arrogant" and "bellicose" are used to describe him[4]
After failing to take Clapham [5] he continued his quest to find a seat. He eventually succeeded at Eastbourne in 1972 after the local Party de-selected its sitting member, Sir Charles Taylor. Sir Charles had represented Eastbourne since 1935 and did not take kindly to Gow.[6] For other places with the same name, see Eastbourne (disambiguation). ...
Sir Charles Stuart Taylor Kt (10 April 1910—29 March 1989 ) was an English politician. ...
Gow married Jane Elizabeth Packe in 1966. They had two sons, James and Charles.
Political career He entered Parliament as the member for Eastbourne in the general election of February 1974.[7] Eastbourne was a traditional Conservative seat but, in common with other English south coast towns in the 1970s, it was coming under some pressure from the Liberals. Gow proved to be a popular and communicative constituency member. In the general election of October 1974 he was able to secure a 10% swing from Liberal to Conservative thereby doubling his majority.[8] He held his seat with a comfortable majority at every election thereafter. His local supporters included the famous Dr John Bodkin Adams who regularly donated to his election funds. John Bodkin Adams, (January 21, 1899–July 4, 1983) was a general practitioner in Eastbourne cleared of murdering one of his patients. ...
Gow was brought onto the Conservative front bench in 1978 to share the duties of opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland with Airey Neave. The two men developed a Conservative policy on Northern Ireland which favoured complete integration of the province with Great Britain. This approach appeared to avoid compromise with the province's nationalist minority and with the government of the Republic of Ireland. Both Neave and Gow were killed by car bomb attacks in 1979 and 1990 respectively. Irish republican paramilitaries claimed responsibility in both cases. But, nobody was ever charged with causing the deaths and rumours later circulated concerning possible involvement of the CIA and intelligence community.[9] Airey Neave in his German escape uniform. ...
The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ...
Through his association with Neave, Gow was introduced to the inner circles of the Conservative Party. He was appointed parliamentary private secretary to Margaret Thatcher in May 1979 at the time she became Prime Minister. While serving in this capacity between 1979 and 1983, Gow became a close friend and confidante of the Prime Minister. He was deeply involved in the workings of Thatcher's private office. Although a dedicated Thatcherite, Gow could be liberal on some economic issues. For example, as Minister of State for Housing and Construction (from 1983 to June 1985) he showed a willingness to commit public funds to housing projects that alarmed some on the right wing of the Conservative party. "After taking what was perhaps too principled a stand in a complex dispute over Housing Improvement Grants, he was moved sideways to the post of minister of state at the Treasury"- The Guardian, 31 July 1990. A Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) is a junior role given to a United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP). ...
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC, FRS (née Roberts; born 13 October 1925) served as British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 and leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 until 1990, being the first and to date only woman to hold either post. ...
From 1982, Conservative policy began to move towards a more conciliatory position on Northern Ireland. In November 1985, Gow was persuaded by his cousin Nicholas Budgen to resign as Minister of State in HM Treasury over the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.[10][11] This Agreement would ultimately lead to devolved government for Northern Ireland, power sharing in the province and engagement with the Republic. After his resignation from the government, Gow became chairman of the parliamentary Conservative backbench committee on Northern Ireland. He was a leading opponent of any compromise with republicans. This article is about the year. ...
Nicholas William Budgen (November 3, 1937–October 26, 1998) was a British politician. ...
Minister of State is a title borne by officials in certain countries governed under the parliamentary system. ...
The new eastern entrance to HM Treasury HM Treasury, in full Her Majestys Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing the UK Governments financial and economic policy. ...
The Anglo-Irish Agreement was an agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland which aimed to bring an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. ...
In spite of being an opponent of the broadcasting of Parliamentary debates, on 21 November 1989, Gow made history by becoming the first MP to deliver a speech in the House of Commons with television cameras present. Gow was moving the Loyal Address at the opening of Parliament. In his speech, Gow referred to a letter he had received from a firm of consultants who had offered to improve his personal appearance and television image.[12] is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...
Type Lower House Speaker of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Harriet Harman, QC, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May, PC, (Conservative) since December 6, 2005 Members 646 Political groups...
Ian Gow's Montego car after being blown up by the IRA in 1990 Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Death On 30 July 1990, the IRA planted a bomb under Gow's Montego car, which detonated in the driveway of his 16th century home (called "The Doghouse")[13] in the village of Hankham, near Pevensey in East Sussex. The 4 1/2-lb. Semtex bomb detonated at 08:39 as Gow reversed out of his driveway, leaving him with severe wounds to his lower body.[14][15] He died 10 minutes later. is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...
The Austin Montego is a British mid-size saloon car that was produced by the Austin Rover subsidiary of British Leyland (BL), and its successors, from 1984 until 1994. ...
Pevensey is a small village (1991 pop. ...
East Sussex is a county in South East England. ...
Semtex is a general-purpose plastic explosive. ...
Neil Kinnock commented that "This is a terrible atrocity against a man whose only offence was to speak his mind,... I had great disagreement with Ian Gow and he with me, but no one can doubt his sincerity or his courage, and it is appalling that he should lose his life because of these qualities."[16] Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock, PC (born 28 March 1942) is a British politician. ...
The IRA claimed responsibility for killing Gow stating that he was targeted due to the fact that he was a "close personal associate" of Margaret Thatcher and due to his role in developing British policy on Northern Ireland.[17]
Aftermath Evaluations of Gow's political career by obituarists were mixed in tone. All commented on his personal charm and his skills in public speaking and political manoeuvre. But, his obituary in The Times stated that "It could not be said that his resignation in 1985 cut short a brilliant ministerial career"[18]. A tendency toward political intrigue (for example, trying to covertly undermine Jim Prior's Northern Ireland initiative after 1982) made him some enemies. Nicholas Budgen commented that Gow's personal devotion to Mrs Thatcher may not have been good for Thatcher or her government. James Michael Leathes Prior, Baron Prior, PC, is a British politician, and was Conservative MP for Lowestoft and Waveney. ...
After his death, his widow Jane was appointed a DBE in 1990 and thus became Dame Jane Gow. In 1994, she re-married; her second spouse is Lt-Col. Michael Whiteley, and she is now known as Dame Jane Whiteley.[14] She continues to promote the life and work of her first husband. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander...
When the Eastbourne by-election for his seat in the House of Commons was won by the Liberal Democrat David Bellotti, the Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe sent a message to voters saying that the IRA would be "toasting their success".[19] The Eastbourne by-election, 1990 was a by-election held on 18th October 1990 for the British House of Commons constituency of Eastbourne in East Sussex. ...
Type Lower House Speaker of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Harriet Harman, QC, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May, PC, (Conservative) since December 6, 2005 Members 646 Political groups...
This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...
David Frank Bellotti (born August 13, 1943) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom who was Member of Parliament (MP) for the Eastbourne constituency from 1990 to 1992. ...
Ann Noreen Widdecombe (born 4 October 1947) is a British Conservative Party politician. ...
External links
References - ^ "1990-92: Start of the talks process", BBC Online Network, March 18, 1999.
- ^ The Peerage :[1]
- ^ The Times, obituary, 31 July 1990
- ^ The Times - Key seats, March 19 1966
- ^ UK general election, March 1966 :results
- ^ The Times - More trouble for Tories at Eastbourne, 11 February 1972
- ^ UK general election, February 1974 :results
- ^ UK general election, October 1974 :results
- ^ Irish Democrat :'a tangled web of intrigue', 2002
- ^ "On this Day, 15 November", BBC News.
- ^ [A Secret History of the IRA, Ed Moloney, 2002. 9PB) ISBN 0-393-32502-4 (HB) ISBN 0-71-399665-X p.336] p.336
- ^ The Times, 22 November 1989 - 'Enemy of TV has say'.
- ^ The Guardian :obituary, 31 July 1990
- ^ a b "MP's widow outraged by release of terrorists", The Argus, 31 July 2000.
- ^ Frederick, Painton. "Europe Don't Count Them Out", Time Magazine, 13 August 1990.
- ^ Bomb kills British lawmaker who was leading foe of IRA. Chicago Sun-Times, 31 July 1990
- ^ IRA Says It Attacked Lawmaker. The Washington Post. August 1, 1990
- ^ The Times, 31 July 1990
- ^ The Guardian :Ask Aristotle, Andrew Roth, 20 March 2001
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