Files reveal Peter Robinson warned of war in 1981 over IRA shooting

Peter Robinson believed a war could break out after the IRA murdered a unionist politician, government archives from 1981 have revealed.

The comment came in an account of a late-night conversation between the present first minister and Stormont official (later Sir) Ewart Bell.

South Belfast MP Rev Robert Bradford was shot dead in November 1981.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Robinson told Ewart Bell there could be "war" before Christmas...