Fact check: The uk goverment helped loyalists bomb Irish people

1. Summary of the results

The evidence strongly indicates systematic collusion between British security forces and loyalist paramilitary groups during the Troubles, though the original statement oversimplifies a complex situation. Multiple official investigations, including the Stevens Inquiries, confirmed various forms of collusion ^[1]. This included:

• British security forces recruiting thousands of agents and transferring weapons to loyalist groups ^[2]
• The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) having active UDA members among its ranks ^[2]
• MI5 involvement in specific incidents like the Boyle's Bar killings ^[3]
• The British government providing gun licenses to UDA leaders and deliberately excluding loyalists from internment ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks crucial context about the nature and extent of the collusion:

• Rather than direct involvement in bombings, the collusion often took more subtle forms, such as withholding intelligence and allowing agents to participate in terrorist activities ^[1]
• Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was aware of these operations, telling officials to "carry on, but don't get caught" regarding undercover agents ^[5]
• The De Silva Report confirmed that state employees "actively facilitated" murders ^[5]
• Regarding specific bombing campaigns in 1972-1973, while British forces had intelligence about suspects, they chose not to share this information with Irish authorities rather than directly participating in attacks ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement oversimplifies the complex nature of state collusion during the Troubles:

• While there is extensive evidence of collusion, the statement suggests direct government involvement in bombing operations, which is not explicitly proven in the sources
• The term "helped" is too broad - the evidence shows various forms of indirect support, including:
• Intelligence sharing with loyalist groups through agents like Brian Nelson ^[4]
• Deliberate misleading of international commissions about loyalist violence ^[4]
• Active facilitation of murders by state employees ^[5]
• Failure to protect targeted nationalists ^[1]

The reality appears to be more complex than direct involvement in bombings, showing instead a pattern of systematic enabling and cover-up of loyalist paramilitary activities.