‘‘You will be responsible to the GOC’? The changing terms of reference of the Director of Intelligence in Northern Ireland 1969-72’

Though the preference for singular control of all intelligence was recognised, overall British military control over security matters in Northern Ireland led to exclusive military control over security intelligence from its deployment in 1969. This control effectively separated intelligence that was operationally useful from that which was of political use throughout the early years of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Military control created a security intelligence ‘stovepipe’ that largely served its own purpose and that at times operated without reference (and at times in opposition) to the political initiatives also being tried by the UK government in the province. This stovepipe existed until at least the mid-1970s despite the opposition of the Joint Intelligence Committee, the Office of the UK Representative and later the Northern Ireland Office.