John Major blocked Irish famine event over 'apology'
John Major blocked Irish famine event over 'apology' A typical rural Irish house in the 19th century Éamon Phoenix Former British Prime Minister John Major. Picture by Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire Proposals to mark the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine with an ecumenical service in Liverpool to coincide with President Mary Robinson’s first visit to the UK were vetoed in 1996 by Prime Minister John Major. Newly-released files show the service had been mooted for several years. The possibility of a British event to mark the Famine was raised by Chris MacCabe ...