George Mitchell feared Northern Ireland was headed for 'true disaster' before signing of Good Friday Agreement

George Mitchell (centre) with former UK prime minister Tony Blair and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 1998. File Picture: John Stillwell/PA

George Mitchell has said he feared Northern Ireland was heading for “true disaster” in the months before the Good Friday Agreement was signed.

The veteran US diplomat said that he had “moments of despair” after years of failed negotiations before the historic 1998 peace deal was agreed.