John Major: Warrington bomb nearly made me give up on peace

Sir John made the comments during a speech that he gave to mark the 30th anniversary of the IRA attack in Warrington.

Two bombs were detonated on Bridge Street, on Saturday, March 20, 1993 - the bombs injured 56 people, and killed Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry, aged three and 12.

It was a day Warrington residents will never forget. 

Sir John was Prime Minister at the time of the bombing and recalled being in his garden when he found out about the detonations the day before Mother's Day.

The former PM said: "It was a day which affected so many people.

"When Tim and Johnathan's mothers waved them off that morning, they couldn't have known then that it was the last wave back."

The IRA attack brought about a hugely emotional response from Warrington, and the country, as well as from the Prime Minister.

Sir John continued: "The two bombs here in Warrington brought me the closest I have ever been on giving up on the search for peace.

"The peace process was genuinely at risk that weekend."

Sir John was Prime Minister at the time of the bombing (Image: Newsquest)

Reflecting on the work that has been done in the wake of the bombing by Tim's parents, Colin and Wendy Parry, who established the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, in 1995, Sir John said: "There is always hope, as time subsequently has proved.

"I cannot think of a better legacy that a parent can give for their child."

After the service, Sir John spoke to the Warrington Guardian on Bridge Street.

When asked what made this attack different for him, Sir John said: "The Irish peace process was on my mind and on the top of my desk every day I was in Downing Street.

"This was one of the most horrible moments [of the process] when we heard what had happened here.

"The completely random killing of two little boys, and injuring many other people - it was a dreadful occasion."

Sir John said that the peace process was at risk on the weekend of the bombing (Image: Newsquest)

Sir John recognised the impact the bombing had on people across the country, adding: "I think the whole country was emotional about it, and it had an impact - it changed people's minds both here, and in Ireland.

"It was a terrible waste, what happened - but out of it, some good did come."

The Warrington Guardian asked the former Prime Minister about the challenges of responding to an event like this; Sir John said: "I feared that if we gave up on the peace process there would be more bombs; more children killed; more people injured; more violence.

"The whole purpose of the peace process was to end it - that's why we continue."

Sir Tony Blair, who was Prime Minister when the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, also spoke to the Warrington Guardian; he said: "The horror of that day reverberated across the UK and the island of Ireland.

"Out of personal tragedy came hope as Colin and Wendy Parry, on behalf of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, began their incredibly brave and admirable campaign for peace and reconciliation between communities here and on the island of Ireland."

Speaking about the impact that the bombing had on the peace process in Ireland itself, Sir Tony told the Warrington Guardian: "It was one of the reasons why I made the Northern Ireland peace process an immediate priority of the new Labour government, building on the solid foundations laid by Sir John Major.

"To end the violence and terror, create stable communities so that people could live their lives without fear and prosper together.

"And so no other families would have to suffer such senseless loss and pain.”

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