The Interview : Martina Anderson

David Thompson talks to the Sinn Fein MLA about the childhood experiences which influenced her decision to join the IRA and her treatment as a woman in British jails. She also gives her thoughts on the outcome of a border poll, her relationships with unionists and why language and terminology still means so much in Northern Irish politics.

00:15 Why did you choose to go down the road of violence 05:02 Do two wrongs make a right? 07:30 How prison affected Martina on a human level 08:50 “We're going to break you, we're going to break your spirit” prison authorities told Martina 12:45 How Martina got through prison 15:15 With a British presence in NI, why aren't dissidents justified in 'armed struggle'? ​17:00 “Why can't we look at the scandalous waste of money through duplication of services” asks Martina 19:45 “Will a border poll propel us into a united Ireland? I don't think anyone in the republican family believes that it will” says Martina. 22:30 Unionists are ignored at Westminster and would be better off in a united Ireland Martina tells me. 23:00 Martina talks about her role as unionist outreach ambassador for Sinn Fein. 25:40 On her working relationship with Jonathan Bell and differences over gay equality legislation. 28:10 Is terminology last taboo at Stormont, why can't Sinn Fein use the term Northern Ireland? 29:36 “Whether you call it Derry, or Gregory [Campbell] calls it Londonderry, it's home” - M.A.