^Lot 419 2007 (3 May) Gusty Spence manuscript speech delivered on the announcement of the official end of the

12 by 8.25 in.




A unique and important manuscript speech in the hand of 'Gusty' Spence. 2pp written on the back of a letter sent to Spence on 24 April 2007 from the Ministry of Defence Veterans Agency relating to his pension. The content are Spence's own words prior to his announcement on behalf of the UVF and Red Hand Commando of the end of their armed campaign in Northern Ireland. It states that "I am here today to deliver a statement from the hierarchy of the UVF and RHC, why they chose me is a matter for them... I had no input into the statement I am about to read but I concur wholeheartedly with its contents... these steps outlined today, I truly believe will bring us closer to the peaceful democratic and prosperous society which every section of our community desires and our awful and terrible past will become a victims nightmare left long behind..." A historically important document from one of the most important moments in Ireland's history.