MICHAEL MATES tried, without success, to smile as he set off on what
may be his last journey in a ministerial car last night.
Asked how he felt, the forrmer Northern Ireland minister said simply:
''Fine.''
However, his troubled manner betrayed the emotion of a bad day for the
Government.
Asked whether he was going to his home in the country, he said simply:
''I am leaving.''
Mr Mates emerged from his residence at a luxury development in
Pimlico, central London, soon after he had been driven away from the
Northern Ireland Office.
* Mr Mates was in charge of security, finance and personnel and
information services at the Northern Ireland Office and it is believed
Northern ireland Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew will assume responsibility
for those portfolios until a replacement is named.
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