Mowlam

Wrapping up, Ms Campbell said she would borrow the words of the late Mo Mowlam, a woman "who made an enormous impact on this part of the world", to deliver a message on behalf of the bereaved families: "Bloody well get on and do it."

Details of the note regarding Wimbledon were leaked to the Belfast Telegraph which then published a story reporting that then Secretary of State Mo Mowlam was in support of the idea, which was hoped would bring new investment to Northern Ireland and boost its image on the international stage.

As well as Ms Mowlam, Downing Street also took an interest in the proposal, with a note by then-chief press secretary Alastair Campbell explaining that Wimbledon owner Hammam "had explored the possibility of moving Wimbledon to Dublin, but this seems to have come to naught".

A letter to Ms Mowlam in April 1999, by a member of Bring Premier League Soccer to Northern Ireland, detailed ongoing discussions but noted continuing opposition by the football authorities in Northern Ireland.

Dr Mowlam and Mr Blair were also at odds in 1998 over her desire to consider reform of Northern Ireland's law on abortion.