Gerry Adams told Tony Blair on his first day in office: I’m committed to peace

Tony Blair walking past Gerry Adams, (left) and Martin McGuinness, after talks ended at Hillsborough Castle, between the British prime ministers and the Taoiseach launched a fresh bid today to breathe new life into efforts to restore Northern Ireland's Assembly. Picture: Paul Faith/PA Wire

Gerry Adams wrote to Tony Blair on the very day his New Labour government swept to power, assuring him Sinn Féin would be “totally committed” to bringing peace to Ireland, previously private correspondence between the two men shows.

Mr Adams and Mr Blair were among those noted for their roles in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 after years of bitter conflict between republicans and loyalists in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles.