The Provisional IRA arrive on the scene in Northern Ireland to protect the Civil rights marchers and ''the Troubles'' begin. Internment without trial is not accepted lightly and causes huge problems. Stormont is prorogued with the appointment of William Whitelaw as Secretary of State.
Edward Heath, then British Prime Minister, announced that the Stormont Parliament was to be prorogued, and 'Direct Rule' from Westminster imposed on Northern Ireland on 30th March 1972. The announcement was greeted with outrage from Brian Faulkner and Unionist politicians. The main reason for the suspension of Stormont was the refusal of Unionist government to accept the loss of law and order powers to Westminster. The legislation responsible for direct rule was the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act. Under the legislation a new Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was established at Stormont which was supervised by a new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, William Whitelaw.