London Meeting
Introduction from Chronology
Griffith goes to London (along with Duggan, Cosgrave and
O’Higgins. O’Hegarty and Kennedy are also there as secretary and legal
advisor respectively.)
Collins goes the following day after going to Kildare to try to
deal with the Civic Guard mutiny – see May-26-22/2.
They meet with Churchill who outlines British objections to the
pact but it is defended by Griffith, Duggan and O’Higgins. See
May-27-22/1.
More Detail
Churchill refers to the proposed coalition government and said that
if the anti-Treaty ministers refused to take the oath then this would violate
the Treaty. Griffith said this issue had not been discussed with
them. Churchill records that he found Griffith “plainly in
resolute dissent to what had been done” and Collins “half-defiant, half
obviously embarrassed”.
When Churchill reported on his talks to his cabinet colleagues, Llyod George said that the pact was not the issue on which they could break on the Treaty, instead he said they should focus on the constitution. He asked for the British law officers to examine the constitution when it was delivered the next morning and report at 4.00pm, after which a full meeting with the Irish delegation would be held.